The history civil and commercial of the British colonies in the West Indies. Vol. I-2

HISTORY

204

CHAP.

OF

THE

V.

topographical description.—Towns, villages, and parishes.— Churches, church-livings, and vestries.—Governor or Commander in chief.—Courts of judicature.—Public offices.— Legislature and laws.—Revenues.—taxes.—Coins, and rate of exchange.—Militia.—Number of inhabitants of all conditions and complexions.—Trade, shipping, exports and imports.—Report of the Lords of Trade in 1734.— Present state of the trade with Spanish America.—Origin and policy of the act for establishing free ports.—Display of the progress of the island in cultivation, by comparative statements of its inhabitants and products at different periods.—Appendix N° I. N° II. BOOK II.

T

HE Island of Jamaica is divided into three counties, which are named Middlesex, Surry, and Cornwall.

The county of Middlesex is composed of eight parishes, one town, and thirteen villages. The town is that of St. Jago-dela-Vega or Spanish-Town, the capital of the island. Most of the villages of this and the other counties, are hamlets of no great account, situated at the different harbours and shippingplaces, and supported by the traffick carried on there. St. Jagode-la-Vega is situated on the banks of the river Cobre, about six miles from the sea, and contains between five and fix hundred

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205

hundred houses, and about five thousand inhabitants, including CHAP. V. free people of colour. It is the residence of the governor or commander in chief, who is accommodated with a superb palace ; and it is here, that the legislature is convened, and the Court of Chancery, and the Supreme Court of Judicature, are held. county of Surry contains seven parishes, two towns, and eight villages. The towns are those of Kingston and PortRoyal : the former of which is situated on the north-side of a beautiful harbour, and was founded in 1693, when repeated desolations by earthquake and fire had driven the inhabitants from Port-Royal. It contains one thousand six hundred and sixty-five houses, besides negro-huts and warehouses. The number of white inhabitants, in the year 1788, was six thousand five hundred and thirty-nine : of free people of colour three thousand two hundred and eighty : of slaves sixteen thousand six hundred and fifty-nine ; — total number of inhabitants, of all complexions and conditions, twenty-six thousand four hundred and seventy-eight. It is a place of great trade and opulence.

Many of the houses in the upper part of the town are extremely magnificent ; and the markets for butchers’ meat, turtle, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, &c. are inferior to none. I can add too, from the information of a learned and ingenious friend, who kept comparative registers of mortality, that since the surrounding country is become cleared of wood, this town is found to be as healthful as any in Europe (a).

PORTTHE

(a) The number of the white inhabitants in Kingston, had increased in 1791 to about 7,000. In that year the burials were 151 white men (including 45 from

the

206 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

once a place of the greatest wealth and importance in the West Indies, is now reduced, by repeated calamities, to three streets, a few lanes, and about two hundred houses. It contains, however, the royal navy yard, for heaving down and refitting the king’s ships ; the navy hospital, and barracks for a regiment of soldiers. The fortifications are kept in excellent order, and vie in strength, as I am told, with any fortress in the king’s dominions.

PORT-ROYAL,

contains five parishes, three towns, and fix villages. — The towns are Savanna-la-Mar on the south fide of the [Hand, and Montego Bay and Falmouth on the north. The former was almost entirely destroyed by a dreadful hurricane and inundation of the sea in 1780. It is now partly rebuilt, and may contain from sixty to seventy houses.

CORNWALL

is a flourishing and opulent town : it confits of two hundred and twenty-five houses, thirty-three of which are capital stores or warehouses, and contains about six MONTEGO-BAY

the publick hospital) 23 white women, and 20 white children. Total 194. Of the men, the whole number from the hospital, and a great many of the others, were tranfient persons, chiefly discarded or vagabond feamen ; but without making any allowance for extraordinary mortality on that account, if this return, which is taken from the Parochial Register, be compared with the bills of mortality in the manufacturing towns of England, the result will be considerably in favour of Jamaica. In the large and opulent town of Manchester, for instance, the whole number of inhabitants in 1773, comprehending Salford, was 29,151, and the average number of burials (diffenters included) for five preceding years was 958.

If the mortality in Manchester had been in no greater proportion than in Kingston, the deaths would not have exceeded 813.

hundred

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INDIES.

hundred white inhabitants. The number of top-fail vessels CHAP. V. which clear annually at this port are about one hundred and fifty, of which seventy are capital ships ; but in this account are included part of those which enter at Kingston. or (as it is more commonly called) the Point, is situated on the south-side of Martha-Brae harbour, and, including the adjoining villages of Martha-Brae and the Rock, is composed of two hundred and twenty houses. The rapid increase of this town and neighbourhood within the lad sixteen years is astonishing. In 1771, the three villages of MarthaBrae, Falmouth, and the Rock, contained together but eighteen houses ; and the vessels which entered annually at the port of Falmouth did not exceed ten. At present it can boast of upwards of thirty capital stationed {hips, which load for Great Britain, exclusive of floops and smaller craft.

FALMOUTH,

parish (or precinct consisting of an union of two or more parishes) is governed by a chief magistrate, styled Custos Rotulorum, and a body of justices unlimited by law as to number, by whom sessions of the peace are held every three months, and courts of Common Pleas to try actions arising within the parish or precinct, to an amount not exceeding twenty pounds.

In matters of debt not exceeding forty shillings, a single justice is authorized to determine.

EACH

whole twenty parishes contain eighteen churches and chapels, and each parish is provided with a rector, and other church officers ; the rectors livings, the presentation to which.

THE

5

rests

HISTORY

208 BOOK

II.

OF

THE

rests with the governor or commander in chief, are severally as follows, viz. St. Catherine £. 300 per annum ; Kingston, St. Thomas in the East, Clarendon, and Westmoreland, £. 250 per annum ; St. David, St. George, and Portland, £. 100 per annum ; all the rest £. 200 per annum. These sums are paid in lieu of tythes by the churchwardens of the several parishes respectively, from the amount of taxes levied by the vestries on the inhabitants. parish builds and repairs a parsonage house, or allows the rector £. 50 per annum in lieu of one ; besides which, many of the livings have glebe lands of very considerable value annexed to them, as the parish of St. Andrew, which altogether is valued at one thousand pounds sterling per annum (b). The bishop of London is said to claim this island as part of his diocese, but his jurisdiction is renounced and barred by the laws of the country ; and the governor or commander in chief, as supreme head of the provincial church, not only inducts into the several rectories, on the requisite testimonials being produced that the candidate has been admitted into priest’s orders according to the canons of the church of England, but he is likewise vested with the power of suspending a clergyman of lewd and disorderly life ab officio, upon application from his parishioners. A suspension ab officio is in fact a suspension a beneficio, no minister being entitled to his stipend for any EACH

(b) In the year 1788, the assembly passed a law to prohibit the burial of the dead within the walls of the churches ; and as by this regulation several of the rectors were deprived of a perquisite, an augmentation of £. 50 per annum was made to most of the livings.

longer

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longer time than he shall actually officiate ; unless prevented by sickness. vestries are composed of the custos, and two other magistrates ; the rector and ten vestrymen; the latter are elected annually by the freeholders. Besides their power of assessing and appropriating taxes, they appoint way-wardens, and allot labourers for the repair of the publick highways. They likewife nominate proper persons, who are called collecting constables, for the collection both of the publick and parochial taxes.

THE

supreme court of judicature for the whole island (commonly called the Grand Court, as possessing similar jurisdiction in this country to that of the several courts of King’s Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, in Great Britain) is held in the town of St. Jago-de-la-Vega, the capital of the country of Middlesex, on the last Tuesday of each of the months of February, May, August, and November, in every year. In this court, the chief justice of the island presides, whose salary is only £. 120, but the perquisites arising from the office make it worth about £. 3,000 per annum. The assistant judges are gentlemen of the island, commonly planters, who receive neither salary nor reward of any kind for their attendance. Three judges must be present to constitute a court; and each term is limited in duration to three weeks. From this court, if the matter in dispute in a civil action be for a sum of £. 300 sterling, or upwards, an appeal lies to the governor and council, as a court of error ; VOL. I. E e THE

209

CHAP. V.

210 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

error ; if sentence of death be palled for felony, the appeal is to the governor alone ( c). courts alio are held every three months, in Kingston for the county of Surry, and in Savanna-la-Mar for the county of Cornwall. The Surry court begins the lad: Tuesday in January, April, July, and October. The Cornwall court begins the lad: Tuesday in March, June, September, and December; each assize court is limited to a fortnight in duration. Thus have the inhabitants law-courts every month of the year, besides the courts of chancery, ordinary, admiralty, and the several parish courts (d). The judges of the assize court act ASSIZE

(c) By an early law of this island (passed in 1681) freeholders of known residence are not subject to arrest, and being held to bail in civil process. The mode of proceeding is, to deliver the party a summons (leaving it at his house is deemed good service) together with a copy of the declaration, fourteen days before the court, whereupon the defendant is bound to appear, the very next court, or judgment will pass by default. Twenty-eight days after the first day of each court execution issues ; for which there is but one writ, comprehending both a fieri facias and a capias ad satisfaciendum ; but as no general imparlance is allowed before judgment, it is enacted that the effects levied on, shall remain in the defendant’s hands until the next court, to give him an opportunity of disposing of them to the best advantage ; and if he then sails paying over the money, a venditioni exponas issues to the marshal, to sell those, or any other goods, or take his person. The modern practice is to make no levy on the execution, whereby the debtor obtains the indulgence of one term, or court, after which, both his person and goods are liable under the writ of venditione exponas. (d) Soon alter this was written an act was passed (I think in 1790) by which the August term in the supreme court was abolished, and a long vacation established as in England, with similar regulations for the assize courts, to the great relief of persons attending as jurors.

without

9

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211

without salary or reward, as well as the assistant judges of the CHAP. V. supreme court, any one of whom, if present, presides in the assize court. No appeal from the latter to the former is allowed, but judgments of the assize immediately following the supreme court, are considered as of one and the fame court, and have an equal right in point of priority with thole obtained in the grand court. governor or commander in chief is chancellor by his office, and presides solely in that high department, which is administered with great form and solemnity. He is alio the sole ordinary for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration. From the first of these offices, he derives extensive authority, and from the latter considerable emoluTHE

ment (e).

As (e) The profits and emoluments arising annually from the government of Jamaica may, I think, be stated nearly as follows, viz.

— — £.5,000 — — — 150 — — — 1,400 Fees of the Court of Ordinary 1,000 Share of Custom House Seizures — — — The assembly have purchased for the governor’s use, a farm of about 300 acres, called the Government Penn, and built an elegant villa thereon. Likewise a polink or provision settlement in the mountains (which is also provided with a comfortable mansion-house) and stocked both properties with 50 negroes, and a sufficiency of cattle, sheep, &c.

From these places (which are exclusive of the king’s house in Spanish Town) the governor is, or ought to be, supplied with hay and corn, mutton, milk, poultry, and provisions for his domesticks, creating Salary — Fees in Chancery

2

—

—

saving in his houshold expences of at least

— Total in currency

Ee 2

—

1,000

— £. 8,550 Being

HISTORY

212

BOOK II.

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THE

As appendages of the supreme court, the several great offices, viz. the office of enrollments, or secretary of the island, provost-marshal-general, clerk of the court (or prothonotary, custos-brevium, &c.) are held and situated in Spanish Town.

The first is an office of record, in which the laws passed by the legislature are preserved ; and copies of them entered into fair volumes. In this office all deeds, wills, sales, and patents, mull be registered. It is likewise required that all persons (after six weeks residence) intending to depart this island, do affix their names in this office, twenty-one days before they are entitled to receive a ticket or let-pass, to enable them to leave the country. In order to enforce this regulation, masters of vessels are obliged, at the time of entry, to give security in the sum of £. 1,000 not to carry off the island any person without such ticket or let-pass. Trustees, attornies and guardians of orphans, are required to record annually in this office accounts of the produce of estates in their charge ; and, by a late act, mortgagees in possession are obliged to register not only accounts of the crops of each year, but also annual accounts current of their receipts and payments. Transcripts of deeds, &c. from the office, properly certified, are evidences in any court of law, and all deeds must be enrolled within three Being equal to £ 6,100 sterling ; and this is altogether exclusive of fees received by his private secretary for militia commissions, &c. &c. &c. which are not easily ascertained. It is supposed also that money has sometimes been made by the sale of church livings ; and vast sums were formerly raised by escheats.

N. B. A governor of Jamaica may live very honourably for £. 3,000 sterling per annum.

§

months

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months after date, or they are declared to be void as against any other deed proved and registered within the time limited ; but if no second deed is on record, then the fame are valid, though registered after the three months. It is presumed that the profits of this office, which is held by patent from the crown, and exercised by deputation, exceed £.6,000 sterling per annum. provost-marshal-general is an officer of high rank and great authority.—The name denotes a military origin, and doubtless the office was first instituted in this island before the introduction of civil government, and continued afterwards through necessity. It is now held by patent from the crown, which is usually granted for two lives, and the patentee is permitted to act by deputy, who is commonly the highest bidder. The powers and authorities annexed to this office are various : the acting officer is in fact high-sheriff of the whole island during his continuance in office, and permitted to nominate deputies under him for every parish or precinct. His legal receipts have been known to exceed £. 7,000 sterling per annum, and it is supposed that some of his deputies make nearly as much.

THE

office of clerk of the supreme court is likewise held by patent and exercised by deputation. Evidence was given to the house of assembly some years ago, that its annual value at that time exceeded £. 9,000 currency. Of late, I believe it is considerably dimini iked.

THE

OF

CHAP.

V.

HISTORY

214 BOOK II.

OF

THE

the other great lucrative offices, the principal are those of the register in chancery, receiver-general and treasurer of the island, naval efficer, and collector of the customs for the port of Kingston. All these appointments, whether held by patent or commission, are likewise supposed to afford considerable emolument to persons redding in Great Britain. It is computed on the whole, that not less than ÂŁ. 30,000 sterling is remitted annually, by the deputies in office within the island, to their principals in the mother-country (f).

OF

THE legislature of Jamaica is composed of the captaingeneral or commander in chief, of a council nominated by the crown, consisting of twelve gentlemen, and a house of assembly containing forty-three members, who are elected by the freeholders, viz. three for the several towns and parishes of St. Jagode-la-Vega, Kingston, and Port Royal, and two for each of the other parishes. The qualification required in the elector, is a (f) It is not very pleasant to the resident inhabitants to observe, that almost all the patent offices in the colonies are exercised by deputies, who notoriously and avowedly obtain their appointments by purchase. Leases for years of some of them have been fold by auction; and nothing is more common, at the expiration of those leases, than the circumstance of an inferior clerk outbidding his employer ( he resident deputy) and stepping into his place. It may be doubted whether both the feller and buyer in such cafes are not subject to the penalties of the statute 5 and 6 Edw VI. against the sale and purchase of offices relating to the administration of Justice. By an excellent lav, , however, which palled in the administration of the present Marquis of Lansdown then Earl of Shelburne, the grievance will in a great degree be prevented in future, for it is enacted by the 22d Geo. III. c. 75. that from thenceforth no office to be exercised in the plantations shall be granted by patent, for any longer term than during such time as the 7

grantee thereofshall discharge the duty in person.

freehold

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215

freehold of ten pounds per annum in the parish where the CHAP. V. election is made; and in the representative, a landed freehold of three hundred pounds per annum, in any part of the island, or a personal estate of three thousand pounds. In the proceedings of the general assembly they copy, as nearly as local circumstances will admit, the legislature of Great Britain; and all their bills (those of a private nature excepted) have the force of laws as soon as the governor’s assent is obtained. The power of rejection however is still reserved in the crown; but until the royal disapprobation is signified, the laws are valid. the laws thus passed, the principal relate chiefly to regulations of local policy, to which the law of England is not applicable, as the slave system for instance (g) ; on which, and other cafes, the English laws being silent, the colonial legislature has made, and continues to make, such provision therein, as the exigencies of the colony are supposed to require; and on some occasions, where the principle of the English law has been adopted, it has been found necessary to alter and modify its provisions, so as to adapt them to circumstances and situation.

Thus, in the mode of setting out emblements, the practice of OF

(g) Thus the evidence of a slave is not admissible against a white person.

Again, although by a very early law of this island, slaves are considered as inheritance, and are accordingly subject to the incidents of real property (for as they go to the heir, so may the widow have dower of them, and the surviving husband be tenant by courtefy ; and this holds equally whether slaves are possessed in gross, or belong to a plantation) yet in respect of debts, slaves are considered as chattels, and the executor is bound to inventory them like other chattels.

fine

216 BOOK II.

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THE

fine and recovery, the cafe of insolvent debtors, the repair of the publick roads, the maintenance of the clergy, and the relief of the poor, very great deviations from the practice of the mother-country have been found indispensably requisite (h).

THE

(h) An outline of the law of insolvency may not be unacceptable to the reader. — A debtor, after three months continuance in actual confinement, may obtain his liberty under the following conditions: three weeks previous to the next sitting of the supreme court, he is to give notice by publick advertisement, that he means to take the benefit of the act, and to that end, has lodged all his books of account in the hands of the marshal or keeper of the gaol, for inspection by his creditors. He {hall then, on the first day of term, be brought by petition before the court, where he is to subscribe and deliver in a schedule of his whole estate and effects, and submit, if any one of his creditors require it, to an examination, viva voce, upon oath, in open court. To this schedule he must annex an affidavit, certifying that it contains a juft account of all his property, debts, and effects, except clothing, bedding, and working tools, not worth more than 10l.; that he has given no preference to any particular creditor, for three months previous to his confinement, nor conveyed away nor concealed any part of his edtate or effects. The court thereupon, being datisfied with the prisoner’s examination, shall appoint one or more of the creditors to be assignees for the benefit of the whole ; and order them possession of the property and effects, and discharge the party from confinement. Gaol fees of those who are unable to pay them, are paid by the publick. There are various regulations for the prevention of fraud, and it is declared, that if any persons claiming the benefit of the act, shall knowingly forswear themselves, and be convicted of perjury in consequence thereof, they shall be adjudged guilty of felony without benefit of clergy, and suffer death accordingly. It is also provided, that no debtor shall have the benefit of the act more than once, and that the future estate and effects of persons discharged under it (but not their persons or apparel) shall still be liable to make up the former deficiency. By a subsequent law, however, which the Author of this work had the honour to propose, as a member of the assembly, a debtor may be discharged a second time on the fame conditions, provided he had fully paid his former creditors before his second insolvency ; and even if he has not paid

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INDIES.

revenues of this island may be divided into two CHAP. V. branches; the one perpetual, by an aft of the year 1728, called the revenue law, of the origin of which I have already spoken, and of which the quit-rents constitute a part; the other annual, by grants of the legislature. The revenue law may raise about £. 12,000 per annum, of which £. 8,000 is particularly appropriated, as I have elsewhere observed, and the surplus is applicable to the contingent expences of government, in aid of the annual funds. The governor receives £. 2,500 per annum out of the £.8,000 fund. A further salary of £.2,500 is fettled upon him during his residence in the island by a special aft of the legislature, palled the beginning of his administration, and is made payable out of some one of the annual funds provided by the assembly. These at this time may amount to £.70,000, of which about £.40,000 is a provision for granting an additional pay to the officers and soldiers of his majesty’s forces stationed for the protection of the island. Every commissioned officer being entitled to 20 s. per week, and every private to 5s. : An allowance is also made to the wives and children of the soldiers; which with the British pay enables them to live much more comfortably than the king’s troops generally do in Europe.

THE

usual ways and means adopted for raising the above taxes are, first, a duty of 20 s, per head on all negroes imported ; secondly, a duty on all rum and other spirits retailed THE

paid the debts on which he before took the benefit of the act, he shall be discharged, after an actual confinement of two years; the court being satisfied that he has fairly surrendered all his estate and effects to the use of his creditors.

VOL.

I.

F f

and

218 BOOK

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HISTORY

OF

THE

and consumed within the island thirdly, the deficiency law : an act which was intended originally to oblige all proprietors of slaves to keep one white person for every thirty blacks ; but the penalty, which is sometimes £. 13, at other times £. 26 per annum, for each white person deficient of the number required, is become so productive a source of revenue, that the bill is now considered as one of the annual supply bills : fourthly, a poll-tax on all slaves, and stock, and a rate on rents and wheel-carriages. Besides these, occasional tax-bills are passed by the legislature, as necessity may require. I have subjoined in a note the estimate of the contingent charges of the government of this island on the annual funds for the year 1788, and of the ways and means for the payment thereof (i).

THE

(i) Estimate of the ordinary CONTINGENT CHARGES of the Government of JAMAICA on the annual funds for the year 1788, viz.

— — — Governor’s additional salary Subsistence of the Troops, and Hospital expences Salaries to Officers of the Assembly, Printing, &c, Clerk of the Grand Court Clerk of the Crown.

Clerk to the Coromissioners of Forts Surveyor to the Bath Port Officers and Waiters — Maroon-Negro Parties Super intendants residing in the Maroon-Towns To the Engineer and Captain of different Forts For the Support of the Botanick Garden Salary to the Agent Carried over

£. 2,500

— 41,300 — 2,300 — 100 — 100 — 150 — 200 — 1,600 — 1,000 — 1,300 1,000 280 420

£. 52,250

— — — —

— — — — — — — — —

— —

— —

To

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219

current coins are Portugal pieces of gold, called the half-johannes, valued in England at 36 s. each; these pass here, if of full weight, at 55 s. Spanish gold coins current THE

Brought forward £. 52,250 — — 1,430 — — To the Officers of the Troops for private Lodgings 1,089 — — Supplying the Forts with Water To the Commissioners of the Forts 5,600 — 500 — — To the Kingston Hospital Sundry Demands on the Publick for Official Fees, Medical Care and Gaol Fees of Prisoners, Repairs of the - 4,359 Publick Buildings, &c. &c.

7 9 Charges of collecting ; viz. Collecting Constable’s and Receiver General’s Commissions, Reliefs, &c. 15 per cent.

6 — 9,783 £.75,011

13

9

—

—

WAYS and MEANS. Outstanding Debts - £. 25,000 6,000 Negro Duty, computed at 14,000 Rum Duty 24,000 Double Deficiency on Negroes 67,000 Poll-Tax

— — —

— — —

— —

— —

136,000 Deduct for prompt Payment 10 per cent.

13,600 —

—

—

—

— 122,400

k The overplus was applied towards discharging the Publick Debt, which was estimated at £. 180,000 currency; but since then, the contingent charges of government, have risen annually to double the amount above stated, owing chiefly to a great augmentation of the British troops; the whole expence of raising and maintaining all which (above the number of 3000) is thrown upon the island.

Among these is a regiment of light-dragoons, which is mounted on bodes bred in the country.

F f 2

here,

CHAP.

V.

HISTORY

220

BOOK II.

OF

THE

here, are, doubloons at £. 5. 5 s. each, and pistoles at 26s. 3 d.

Silver coins are Spanish milled dollars at 6 s. 8 d. and so in proportion for the smaller parts of this coin; the lowed: coin is called a bitt, equal to about 5 d. sterling. A guinea passes for 32 s. 6 d. This, however, is considerably more than the usual rate of exchange, by which £. 100 sterling gives £.140 currency. the situation of this island amidst potent and envious rivals, and the vast disproportion between the number of white inhabitants and the slaves, it may be supposed that the maintenance of a powerful and well-disciplined militia is among the first objects of the policy of the legislature ; and accordingly all persons, from fifteen to sixty years of age, are obliged bylaw to enlist themselves either in the horse or foot, and to provide at their own expense the necessary accoutrements; but this law, I doubt, is not very rigidly enforced, as the whole militia, which is composed of three regiments of horse and fourteen regiments of foot, does not confifl I conceive of more than 7000 effective troops neither do the usual employments and habits of life, either of the officers or privates, conduce very much to military subordination.—However, in times of actual danger, whether from the revolt of slaves, or the probability of invasion, no troops in the world could have shewn greater promptitude or alacrity in service, than has been displayed by the militia of Jamaica. In such emergencies, the commander in chief, with the advice and consent of a general council of war, (in which the members of the assembly have voices) may proclaim FROM

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proclaim martial law. His power is then dictatorial ; and all persons are subject to the articles of war (k). the given number of men able to bear arms in any country, it is usual with political writers to estimate the inhabitants at large; but their rule of calculation does not apply to Jamaica, where the bulk of the people consists of men without families. Europeans who come to this island have feldom an idea of settling here for life. Their aim is generally to acquire fortunes to enable them to sit down comfortably in their native country; and, in the meanwhile, they consider a family as an incumbrance. Marriage, therefore, being held in but little estimation, the white women and children do not bear the same proportion to the males, as in European climates.

From these, and other causes, I have found it difficult to ascertain with precision the number of the white inhabitants.

FROM

(k) Soon after the above was written (the Author being at that time in Jamaica) the lieutenant-governor, by the advice of a council of war, proclaimed martial law. This was in December, 1791, and it arose from a notion very generally prevalent in the island, that conspiracies and projects of rebellion were afloat among the negroes, in consequence of the disturbances in St. Domingo.

This apprehension induced a very strict observance of the militia laws; and the following was the return of the Cavalry and Infantry to head-quarters on the 13th of January, 1792.

County of Surry Middlesex Cornwall

Total.

-

336 Cavalry 375 — 368 —

2,141 Infantry 2,647— 2,305 ————

Effectives

-

2,477 3,022 2,673 8,172

Free negroes and men of colour included; their number was 1,889. The roons are not comprehended.

1

Ma-

I have

CHAP. V.

HISTORY

222

OF

THE

BOOK I have been informed, that a late intelligent chief governor II. (General Campbell) computed, them, after diligent research, at 25,000 ; and I am induced to believe, from more than one mode of calculation, that General Campbell’s estimate was near the truth.—This computation was made in 1780, since which time I am of opinion, from the many loyal Americans who have fixed themselves in Jamaica, and other causes, this number is considerably increased. Including the troops and sea-faring people, the white population may, I think, be fixed at 30,000. freed negroes and people of colour are computed, in a report of a committee of the house of assembly of the 12th of November, 1788, at 500 in each parish, on an average of the whole; which makes 10,000, exclusive of the black people called Maroons, who enjoy a limited degree of freedom by treaty. These, by the last returns that I have seen, amount to about 1400 (l).

THE

negroes in a Rate of slavery in this island, the precise number in December, 1787, as ascertained on oath in the rolls OF

(l) It is generally supposed, and has been very, confidently asserted, that these people have decreased; hut the fact is otherwise. The mistake has arisen from the circumstance that some of their towns have been deserted; which is indeed true, but the cause has been, that the negroes have only removed from one town to another. It is sufficiently known, that they are the descendants of negroes formerly in rebellion, with whom, in the years 1738 and 1739, Governor Trelawney entered into treaty, which the Assembly confirmed, and granted them freedom under certain limitations. The number that surrendered was under boo. In the year 1770 they confided of 885 men, women, and children. In the year 1773 they were 1,028 ; and they were increased in 1788 to 1,333. from

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INDIES.

223

from which the poll-tax is levied, was 210,894; and as it may answer more useful purposes hereafter than the mere gratification of curiosity, I shall distinguish the numbers in each parish, which are the following : — — St. Dorothy 3,129 — —5,304 St. Catherine — St. John —-— 5,880 St. Thomas in the Vale — 7,459 Vere — — — 7,487 — — — St. Mary 17,144 St. Ann — — — 13,324 Kingston — — — 6,162 St. Andrew — — — 9,613 — St. David — — 2,881 St. Thomas in the East — 20,492 Portland — — — 4,537 St. George — — — 5,050 — St. Elizabeth — 13,280 — — — Hanover 17,612 St. James — — — 18,546 Trelawney — — — 19,318 —2,229 Port-Royal — Westmoreland — — 16,700 — Clarendon — — 14,747 Total

—

210,894

IT appears, however, from the report of a committee of the assembly above cited, that in most of the parishes it is customary 6

CHAP. V.

HISTORY

224 BOOK II.

OF

THE

tomary to exempt persons not having more than six negroes, from the payment of taxes on slaves, whereby many of the negroes, especially in the towns (m), are not given in to the different vestries, and the returns of a great many others are fraudulently concealed; thus the tax-rolls do not contain the full number of slaves, which, in the opinion of the committee, were at that time 240,000, at the least ; and there is not a doubt that upwards of 10,000 have been left in the country from the importations of the last two years, exclusive of decrease. The whole number of inhabitants therefore, of all complexions and conditions, may be stated as follows : Whites ------ 30,000 Freed negroes, and people of colour 10,000 Maroons ------ 1,400 Negro slaves ------ 250,000 Total

-

291,400

trade of this island will belt appear by the quantity of shipping and the number of seamen to which it gives employment, and the nature and quantity of its exports. The following is an account, from the books of the Inspector General of Great Britain, of the number of vessels of all kinds, their registered tonnage and number of men, which cleared from the THE

(m) In Kingston, for instance, the real number is 16,659, instead of 6,162, the number on the tax-rolls. On an average of the whole number of parishes, the negroes not given in or returned may be reckoned at one-seventh part of the whole.

several

WEST

INDIES.

225

Several ports of entry in Jamaica in the year 1787, exclusive of CHAP. V. coasting sloops, wherries, &c. viz.

Number of Vessels.

For Great Britain - - 242 10 Ireland ----American States 133 British American Colonies 66 Foreign West Indies 22 1 Africa - - - - Total

-

474

Tonnage.

63,471 1,231 13,041

Men. 7,748 91

6,133

449 155

1,903 109 85,888

893

8

9,344

must, however, be observed, that as many of the vessels clearing for America and the foreign West Indies make two or more voyages in the year, it is usual, in computing the real number of those vessels, their tonnage and men, to deduct onethird from the official numbers. With this correction the total to all parts is 400 vessels, containing 78,862 tons, navigated by 8,845 men.

IT

exports for the lame year are given on the fame authority, as follows : — THE

VOL. I.

G g

Inspector-

226

HISTORY

OF

THE

[Book II.]

BUT

WEST

INDIES.

it must be noted, that a considerable part of the cotton, indigo, tobacco, mahogany, dye-woods, and miscellaneous articles, included in the preceding account, is the produce of the foreign West Indies imported into Jamaica, partly under the free-port law, and partly in small British vessels employed in a contraband traffick with the Spanish American territories, payment of which is made chiefly in British manufactures and negroes ; and considerable quantities of bullion, obtained by the fame means, are annually remitted to Great Britain, of which no precise accounts can be procured.

BUT

General Account of nearly as follows, viz.

THE

IMPORTS

G g 2

into Jamaica will stand

IMPORTS

227 CHAP. V.

228

HISTORY IMPORTS

OF

INTO

THE

[Book II.]

JAMAICA.

From Great Britain, s. d. £. direct, according British manufactures - 686,657 2 3 to a return of the Foreign merchandize 72,275 3 1 Inspector-General for 1787 - From Ireland, I allow a moiety of the whole import to the British West Indies, consisting of manufactures and salted provisions to the amount of £. 277,000 each—(This sterling at £.40 negroes (i), From Africa, 5,345 is wholly a British trade carried on in ships from England) From the British Colonies in America (including about 20,000 quintals of salted cod from Newfoundland) From the United States., Indian corn, wheat flour, rice, lumber, staves, &c. imported in British ships From Madeira and Teneriffe, in ships trading circuitously from Great Britain, 500 pipes of wine (exclusive of wines for re-exportation) at £. 30 sterling the pipe From the Foreign West Indies, under the free-port law, &c. calculated on an average of three years (k) Total

-

£.

758-932

s. d.

5

4

138,500 — 213,800 — — 30,000 190,000 — —

15,000 — — 150,000 — —

£.1,496,232

5

4

(i) Being an average of the whole number imported and retained in the island for ten years, 1778 to 1787, as returned by the Inspector-General. The import of the last three years is much greater. (k) From returns of the Inspector-General. The following are the particulars for the year 1787.

Cotton Wool 194,000 lbs.

Cacao 64,750 lbs.

Cattle, viz. ...

Asses 43 Horses.

233 Mules 585 Oxen 243 98 Sheep— — 1,202 No. 5,077 Tons.

Dying Woods 79 Barrels.

Gum Guiacum 4537 No. Hides - 4,663 lbs.

Indigo Mahogany 9,993 Planks.

655 lbs.

Tortoise Shell Dollars 53,850 No. SOME

WEST

INDIES.

SOME part of this estimate, however, is not so perfect as might be wished ; inasmuch as in the accounts made up at the

InSpector-General's office of goods exported from Great Britain, they reckon only the original cost, whereas the British merchant being commonly the exporter, the whole of his profits, together with the freight, insurance, and factorage commissions in the island, should be taken into the account, because the whole are comprized in one charge again st the planter. On the British supply, therefore, I calculate that twenty per cent. should be added for those items; which makes the sum total £.1,648,01 8 14. s, 4 d. sterling-money.

all, it is very possible that some errors may have crept into the calculation, and the balance or surplus arifing from the excefs of the exports, may be more or lefs than appears by the statement which I have given; but this is a conside ration of little importance in a national view, inasmuch as the final profit arifing from the whole system, ultimately rest's and AFTER

centers in Great Britain; —— a conclusion which was well illustrated formerly by the lords commissioners for trade and plantations, in- a report made by them on the state of the British sugar colonies in the year 1734; an extract from which, as it serves likewise to point out the progress of this island during the last fifty years, I shall present to the reader. “ THE annual amount (lay their Lordships) of our exports to Jamaica, at a medium of four years, from Christmas 1728 to Christmas 1732, as it stands computed in the custom-house - £.147,675. 2. 3¾. books, appears to have been The

229 CHAP. V.

230 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

The medium of our imports (l) from Ja- £. 539,499. 18. 3½. maica, in the fame year, is So that the annual excess of our imports, in that period, is no less than - 391,824. 15. 11¾. it must not be imagined, that this excefs is a debt upon Great Britain to the island of Jamaica; a part of it must be placed to the account of Negroes, and other goods, lent to the Spanish. Weft Indies, the produce of which is returned to England by way of Jamaica; another part to the debt due to our African traders from the people of Jamaica, for the Negroes which are purchased and remain there for the service of the island; a third proportion must be placed to the account of our Northern Colonies on the continent of America, who discharge part of their balance with Great Britain by consignments from Jamaica, arising from the provisions and lumber with which they supply that island; the remaining part of the excess in our importations from this colony, is a profit made upon our trade, whether immediately from Great Britain, or by way of Africa; and lastly, it is a consideration of great importance in the general trade of Great Britain, that part of the sugar, and othermerchandize which we bring from Jamaica, is re-exported from hence, and helps to make good our balance in trade with other countries in Europe.” " BUT

mentioned the trade which is carried on between this island and the Spanish territories in America, some account HAVING

(l) The Custom House prices of goods imported, are considerably lefs than the real or mercantile prices—perhaps, in general, about onc-third.

1

of

WEST

INDIES.

of it in its present state, and of the means which have been adopted by the British parliament to give it support, may not be unacceptable to my readers. It is sufficiently known to have been formerly an intercourse of vast extent, and highly advantageous to Great Britain, having been supposed to give employment, about the beginning of the present century, to 4,000 tons of English shipping, and to create an annual vent of British goods to the amount of one million and a half in value.

From the wretched policy of the court of Spain towards its American subjects, by endeavouring to compel them to trust solely to the mother-country, for almost every article of necessary consumption, at the very time that she was incapable of supplying a fiftieth part of their wants, it is not sur prising that they had recourse, under all hazards, to those nations of Europe which were able and willing to answer their demands.

It was in vain, that the vessels employed in this traffick, by the English and others, were condemned to confiscation, and the mariners to perpetual confinement and flavery ; the Spanish Americans supplied the loss by vessels of their own, furnished with seamen so well acquainted with the several creeks and bays, as enabled them to prosecute the contraband with facility and advantage, These vessels received every possible encouragement in our islands ; contrary, it must be acknowledged, to the strict letter of our acts of navigation; but the British government, aware that the Spaniards had little to import besides bullion, but horned cattle, mules, and horses, (so necessary to the agriculture of the sugar colonies) connived at the encouragement that was given them. The trade, however,

231 CHAP.

V.

232 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

ever, has been, for many years, on the decline. Since the year 1748, a wiser and more liberal policy towards its American dominions, seems to have actuated the court of Madrid; and the contraband traffick has gradually lessened, in proportion as the rigour of the ancient regulations has been relaxed. Nevertheless, the intercourse with this island, in Spanish vessels, was still very considerable so late as the year 1764. About that period, directions were issued by the English ministry to enforce the laws of navigation with the utmost strictnefs ; and custom-house commissions were given to the captains of our men of war, with orders to seize all foreign vessels, without distinction, that should be sound in the ports of our West Indian islands; a measure which in truth was converting our navy into guarda-costas, for the king of Spain. In consequence of these proceedings, the Spaniards, as might have been expected, were deterred from coming near us, and the exports from Great Britain to Jamaica alone in the year 1765, fell short of the year 1763, ÂŁ, 108,000 sterling, ministry endeavoured to remedy the mischief, by giving orders for the admission of Spanish vessels as usual; but the subject matter being canvaded in the British parliament, the nature and intent of those orders were so fully explained, that the Spanish court, grown wise from experience, took the alarm, and immediately adopted a measure, equally prompt and prudent, for counteracting them. This was, the laying open the trade to the islands of Trinidad, Porto-Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba, to every province in Spain, and permitting goods of all kinds 6 A WISER

WEST

INDIES.

233

kinds to be lent thither, on the payment of moderate duties. CHAP. V. Thus the temptation of an illicit commerce with foreign nations, being in a great measure removed, there was reason to believe that the effect would cease with the cause. however, is the superiority of comparative cheapness of British manufactures, that it is probable the trade would have revived to a certain degree, if the British ministry of 1765, after giving orders for the admission of Spanish vessels into our ports in the West Indies, had proceeded no further. But, in the following year, they obtained an act of parliament for opening the chief ports of Jamaica and Dominica, to all foreign vessels of a certain description. The motives which influenced the framers of this law, were undoubtedly laudable they justly considered the recovery of the Spanish trade as a matter of the utmost consequence, and concluded that the traders would naturally prefer those ports in which their safety was founded on law, to places where their preservation depended only on the precarious tenure of connivance and favour. Other ostensible reasons were assigned in support of the measure; but the jealousy of Spain was awakened, and the endeavours of the British parliament on this occasion, served only to encrease the evil which was meant to be redressed. By an unfortunate overfight, the collectors at the several British free-ports were instructed to keep regular accounts of the entry of all foreign vessels, and of the bullion which they imported, together with the names of the commanders. These accounts having been transmitted to the commissioners of the customs in England, copies of them were, by some means, procured by the court VOL. I. H h of SUCH,

HISTORY

234 BOOK

II.

OF

THE

of Spain, and the absolute destruction of many of the poor people who had been concerned in transporting bullion into our islands, was the consequence. This intelligence I received soon afterwards (having at that time the direction of the custom-house in Jamaica) from a very respectable Spanish merchant, who produced to me a letter from Carthagena, containing a recital of the fact, accompanied with many shocking circumstances of unrelenting severity in the Spanish government. Information of this being transmitted to the British ministry, the former instructions were revoked, but the remedy came too late ;—for what else could be expected, than that the Spaniards would naturally shun all intercourse with a people, whom neither the safety of their friends, nor their own evident interest, was sufficient to engage to confidence and secrecy ? little trade, therefore, which now subsists with the subjects of Spain in America, is chiefly carried on by small vessels from Jamaica, which contrive to escape the vigilance of the guarda-costas. But although, with regard to the revival of this particular branch of commerce, I am of opinion, that the free-port law has not so fully answered the expectation of its framers, as might have been wished ; its provisions, in other respects, have been very beneficial. It has been urged again st it, that it gives occasion to the introdudion of French wines, brandies, soap, cambricks, and other prohibited articles from Hispaniola ; and there is no doubt that small vessels from thence frequently claim the benefit of the free-ports, after having smuggled ashore, in the various creeks and harbours of this 9 THE

WEST

INDIES.

235

this island, where no custom-houses are established, large quan- CHAP. V. tities of brandy, to the great prejudice of the rum-market, and other contraband goods. It may be urged too, that the permission given by the act to the importation of certain of the products of the foreign islands, is hurtful to the growers of the fame commodities in Jamaica. All this is admitted ; but on the other hand, considering the revenues and commerce of the empire at large, as objects of superior concern to local interests, it cannot be denied, that the woollen and cotton manufactories of Great Britain are of too great importance not to be supplied with the valuable materials of indigo and cotton-wool, on the easiest and cheapest terms possible. The quantities of these articles, as well as of woods for the dyer, imported in foreign bottoms into the free-ports, are very considerable. This subject was thoroughly investigated by the British House of Commons in 1774 (when the act would have expired); and it being given in evidence that thirty thousand people about Manchester were employed in the velvet manufactory, for which the St. Domingo cotton was best adapted ; and that both French cotton and indigo had been imported from Jamaica at least thirty per cent, cheaper than the fame could have been procured at through France—the House, disregarding all colonial opposition, came to a resolution, “ that the continuance of free-ports in Jamaica would be highly beneficial to the trade and manufactures of the kingdom.� The act was thereupon renewed, and has since been made perpetual.

BUT

the main argument which was originally adduced in

defence of the establishment of free-ports in Jamaica, was H h 2

founded

236 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

founded on the idea that those ports would become the great mart for supplying foreigners with negroes. It was said, that in order to have negroes plenty in our own islands, every encouragement must be thrown out to the African merchant, to induce him to augment his importations, and that no encouragement was so great as that of an opportunity of felling part of them to foreigners for ready money; a temptation, it was urged, which would be, as it heretofore had been, the means that a number would be imported sufficient both for the planter’s use and for the foreign demand ; and it was added, that at all events the French would deal with us, if the Spaniards would not. it be a wife and politick measure at any time to permit British subjects to supply foreigners with African labourers, is a question that may admit of dispute (m). I mean, at present, to consine myself only to a recital of facts; and it is certain that the very great demand for negroes in the Ceded Islands, for some years after the act first took place, affected the Jamaica import in a high degree ; and in 1773, a circumstance occurred which was thought to render a renewal of the free-port law a measure of indispensable necessity.

In that year the Spanish Assiento Company at Porto-Rico WHETHER

(m) The re-export of negroes from the British West Indies, for the last twenty years, for the supply of the French and Spanish plantations, has not, I believe, exceeded one-fifch of the import. It was greater formerly, and during the existence of the Assiento contract, exceeded one-third.—Perhaps it would be found on the whole, that Great Britain has, by this means, during the last century, supplied her rivals and enemies with upwards of 500,000 African labourers; a circumstance which sufficiently justifies the doubt that I entertain concerning the wisdom and policy of this branch of the African commerce.

obtained

WEST

INDIES.

237

obtained permission to remove their principal factory to the CHAP. V. Havanna, and to purchase slaves in any of the neighbouring islands, transporting them to their own settlements in Spanish vessels. It was easily foreseen, that Jamaica, from its vicinity to the chief colonies of Spain, in which negroes were mod in demand, would engage a preference from the purchasers; wherefore, that encouragement might not be wanting, the British parliament not only renewed the free-port law, but alfo took off the duty of thirty shillings Sterling a head, which, in the former act, was exacted on the exportation of negroes, and laid only a duty of two shillings and six-pence, in lieu of it. The result was—that the import for the next ten years, exceeded that of the ten years preceding, by no less than 22,213 negroes: and the export surpassed that of the former period, to the number of 5,952. Such part, therefore, of this encreased export, as went to the supply of the Spanish colonies, we may attribute to the free-port law ; for it is probable, from the circumstances dated, that the ancient contraband system is nearly at an end. In like manner it may be Said of the importation of foreign indigo and cotton, that if it be not made in foreign vessels, it will cease altogether; and thus, indead of infringing the navigation-aft, as some persons contend, the measure of opening the ports is srictly confonant to the spirit of that celebrated law ; for, by furnishing an augmentation of freights to Great Britain, it tends ultimately to the encrease of our Shipping. now, to the bed of my judgment and knowledge, furnished my readers with such particulars as may enable them HAVING

to

HISTORY

238

BOOK II.

OF

THE

to form a tolerably correct idea of the present trade and productions of Jamaica, I shall conclude with a concise display of its progress in cultivation at different periods, for a century paid. a letter, dated March the 29 th, 1673, from the then governor, Sir Thomas Lynch, to Lord Arlington, the Secretary of State, it appears, that the island at that time contained 7,768 whites, and 9,504 negroes; its chief productions were cacao, indigo, and hides. “ The weather (observes the governor) has been seasonable, and the succefs in planting miraculous.

Major-General Bannister is now very well, but by the next, he fends your lordship a pot of sugar, and writes you its story.” It would seem from hence, that the cultivation of sugar was then but juft entered upon, and that Blome, who asserts there were seventy sugar-works in 1670, was misinformed. So late as the year 1722, the island made only eleven thousand hogsheads of sugar, of sixteen hundred weight.

BY

that time I have no authentick account until the year 1734, when the island contained 7,644 whites (n), 86,546 negroes, and 76,011 head of cattle. The value of the imports from this island to Great Britain, about this period, were Hated (as we have seen) by the Commissioners of Trade, at £. 539,499. 18. 3½ slerling. Of the particulars I have no account. In the year 1739, the export of sugar was 33,155 hogsheads.

FROM

(n) The circumstance of the. decrease of the white inhabitants for the first sixty years, may appear strange. It was owing, without doubt, to the decline of the privateering trade, which gave full employment to the first adventurers.

IN

WEST

INDIES.

239

In 1744, the numbers were 9,640 whites, 112,428 negroes, CHAP. V. and 88,036 head of cattle. The exports at this period, were nearly about 35,000 hogsheads of sugar, and 10,000 puncheons of rum, exclusive of smaller articles. The whole might be worth £.600,000 sterling. the whites were supposed to have been 17,000.

The number of negroes on the tax-rolls were 166,914, and the cattle 135,773 head. The exports (the value of which could not be less at that time than 1,400,000 sterling) were these: IN

1768,

EXPORTS

FROM

1768.

JAMAICA,

Tons of Hhds. of Puns of Bags of Bags of Bags of Bags of Fustick Sugar, of Rum, of Pimento, Ginger, Cotton, of Coffee, of and Log16 cwt. 110 gal . of 100 lbs. of 70 lbs. 200 lbs. 100 lbs. wood. s

To Great Britain and Ireland To North America — — Total

—

13,116

2,551

2,211 252

1,491

738

620

15,551 13,854

3,171

2,463

4,203

54,1-81 1,580

11,127

55,761

4,424

4,035 —

2,712

4,035

(continued.)

Feet of Mahogany.

To Great Britain and Ireland To North America — — Total

—

Tons of Tons of Nic. Lig. Wood and Vitæ.

Ebony.

Galls of Melasses.

Hides.

—

—

Miscellaneous Articles.

f.

s. d.

120

26

424,080

—

—

201,960

Value 2,287 unknown.

868,000

120

26

201,960

2,287

443,920

CULTIVATION,

HISTORY

240 BOOK

II.

OF

THE

in all parts of Jamaica, was now making a great and rapid progress. In 1774, the exports were considerably encreased: The following account of them is extracted from the books of office, kept within the island.

CULTIVATION,

EXPORTS FROM JAMAICA,

Pun3 of Bags of Barrels of Bags of Bags of Rum, of Coffee, of Indigo, of Ginger, Pimento, 100 gals. 100, lbs. 300 lbs. of 70 lbs. of 100 lbs.

Hhds. of Sugar, of 16 cwt.

To Great Britain and Ireland To North America — — Total

—

1774.

3,684 2,863

437

8,726

78,304 26,074

6,547

43 8

76,344 17,348 1,960

1

2,348 13,797 579 552 2,927

14,349

(continued,) Casks of ditto, of 300 lbs.

To Great Britain and Ireland To North America — — Total

—

Bags of Hhds. of Tons of Feet of Cotton, Melasses, Logwood, Mahogany. and of 200 60 gall3.

Fustick. lbs.

276

2,022

47

88

323

2,1 10

69 1,286

951

½

26 ½

1,020 1,313

Hides.

117,200 12,080

656 8,636

129,280

9,292

THE

WEST

INDIES.

241

amount of the sum total, according to the prices current, including the fame allowance for miscellaneous articles, of which no precise account can be obtained as was allowed by the Inspector-General for the year 1787, may be fairly stated at two millions of pounds flerling.

THE

Jamaica had now nearly attained the meridian of its prosperity (n) ; for early in the following year, the fatal and unnatural war which has terminated in the dismemberment of the empire, began its destructive progress; in the course of which, the blameless inhabitants of this and the red: of the British sugar islands, felt all its effects without having merited the slightest imputation on their conduct. Their sources of supply for plantation necessaries were cut off and protection at sea, if not denied, was not given ; fo that their produce was feized in its way to Great Britain, and confiscated without interruption or mercy. To fill up the meafure of their calamities, the anger of the Almighty was kindled againfl: them ;—no less than five destructive hurricanes in the space of seven years, fpread ruin and defolation throughout every island ! The lafl: BUT

-

(n) The greatest improvement which Jamaica has manifested since 1774, has been in the encreased number of its coffee plantations. In that year, the export of coffee, as we have feen, was 654,700 lbs. In 1780, the crop having been shipped before the hurricane happened, the export was 735,392 lbs. For the three last years, of which I have any account, the export was as follows ; 1,035,368 lbs.

1788 — 1,493,282 1789 —

1790

1,783,740

I have obtained this account from the books of the naval officer kept in the island.

VOL. I.

Ii

of

CHAP. V.

242 BOOK II.

HISTORY

OF

THE

of these terrible visitations in Jamaica, happened in 1786, Since that time, however, the seasons have been favourable ; and the crops of 1788, 1789 and 1790, were considerable.

May the inhabitants be thankful, that it has thus pleated the Divine Providence to remember mercy in judgment; and may past misfortunes teach them those lessons of fortitude, frugality, and foresight, which always alleviate afflictions, and sometimes even convert them into blessings.

NOTHING now remains but to state the value of this island, considered as British property ; of which the estimate is formed as follows — 250,000 negroes at fifty pounds sterling each, make twelve millions and a half; the landed and personal property to which these negroes are appurtenant (including the buildings) are very fairly and moderately reckoned at double the value of the slaves themselves making twenty-five millions in addition to the twelve million five hundred thousand. pounds I have stated before ; and, in further addition, the houses and property in the towns, and the vessels employed in the trade, are valued at one million five hundred thousand pounds more amounting in the whole to thirty-nine millions of pounds sterling.

APPEN-

WEST

INDIES.

APPENDIX

243

BOOK II.

TO

APPEN-

DIX. NUMBER A

I.

of the Number of SUGAR PLANTATIONS, in. the Island of JAMAICA, and the NEGRO SLAVES thereon, on the 28 th March,1789, distinguishing the several Parishes, RETURN

Negroes thereon.

- Parifh of St. Mary — — — St. Anne ——— St. John - ——— St. Dorothy - - — — — St. Thomas in the Vale ——— Clarendon - ——— Vere — — — St. Catharine

63

12,065 30 4,908 3,713 1,776 5,327 10,150 5,279 408

21 12 33 56 26 3

Total in the County of Middlesex -

Parish of St. Andrew

-

——— St. George - ——— Portland ———Port Royal -

-

— — — St. David — — St. — Thomas in the East — — — Kingston - -

Parish of Trelawney

St. James — — — Hanover ——— Westmoreland — — — St. Elizabeth

3,540 2,795 2,968 358 12 1,890 83 15,786

Nil. 83 67

-

-

-

244 43,626

24 14 23 3

Total in the County of Surry

———

-

62 26

Total in the County of Cornwall

-

15,692 12,482 69 13,330 11,219 5,112

-

Total in Jamaica

I i 2

159 27,337

307

57,835 710

128,798

NUMBER

HISTORY

244

OF

NUMBER

THE

II.

An Historical Account of the Consitution of Jamaica ; drawn up in 1764, for the information of his Majesty's Ministers, by his Excellency William Henry Lyttelton (a), Governor and Commander in Chief of that Island.

BOOK

II.

I

T does not appear that there was any form of civil government established in the island of Jamaica before the; Restoration; when Colonel D’Oyley, who had then the chief command under a commission from the lord Protector, was confirmed in that command by a commission from King Charles, dated the 13th of February, 1661,.

His commission, which recites the king’s desire to give all protection and encouragement to the people of Jamaica, and to provide for its security and good government, empowers him to. execute his trust according to such powers and authorities as are contained in his commission and the instructions annexed to it, and such as should from time to time be given to him by his majesty, and according to such good, just, and, reasonable customs and constitution s. as were exercised and; fettled in other colonies ; or such other as should, upon mature advice and. consideration, be held necessary and proper for the good government and security of the island, provided they were not repugnant, to the laws of England. (a) Created Lord Westcote, of the kingdom of Ireland, in 1776.

4

It

WEST

INDIES.

245

It further empowers him to take unto him a council of twelve APPENDIX. persons, to be elected by the people according to the manner prescribed in the instructions ; and, by the advice of any five or more of them, to constitute civil judicatories, with power to administer oaths; to command all the military forces in- the island, and put in force and- execute martial law; to grant commissions, with the advice of his council, for the finding out new trades; and to do and perform all other orders which; might conduce to the good of the island. The instruct ions consist of fifteen articles The first directs the commission to Be published, and the king proclaimed.

The third regulates the manner of electing the council, eleven of which to be chosen indifferently, by as many of the officers of the army, planters, and inhabitants, as could be conveniently admitted to such election, either at one or more places ; which said persons, with the secretary of the island, who was thereby appointed always to Be one,, were established a council, to advise and assist the governor in. the. execution of his trust, and five were to be a quorum.

The. fourth and fifth articles direct the taking the oaths, and settling judicatories for the civil affairs and affairs of the admiralty, for the peace of. the island, and determining controversy.

The sixth directs the governor to discountenance vice and debauchery, and to encourage ministers, that Christianity and the protestant religion, according to the church of England, might have due reverence and exercise amongst them.

The

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The seventh directs the fortifications at Cagway to be completed, and empowers him to compel, not only soldiers, but planters, to work by turns.

The eighth directs him to encourage the planters, and to assure them of his majesty’s protection: and, by the ninth, he is to cause an accurate survey to be made of the island.

By the tenth it is directed, that the secretary shall keep a register of all plantations and the bounds thereof; and that all persons shall be obliged to plant a proportionable part thereof within a limited time.

The eleventh and twelfth direct all encouragements to be given to such negroes and others as shall submit to the government, and to merchants and such as shall bring any trade there, and forbid monopolizing.

The thirteenth directs, that any vessel which can be spared from the defence of the island, shall be employed in fetching settlers from any other colonies, and that no soldiers be allowed to depart without licence.

The fourteenth relates to the keeping of the stores and provisions sent to the bland : and the fifteenth directs the governor to transmit, from time to time, a state of the island, and all his proceedings In 1662, Lord Windsor was appointed governor of Jamaica, by commission under the great seal; which, besides containing the fame powers, as those contained in Col. D’Oyley’s commission, directs, that, in cafe of Lord Windsor’s dying or leaving the island, the government shall devolve on the council

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or any seven of them, and appoints a salary of two thousand APPENDIX. pounds per ann. payable out of the exchequer.

His instructions consist of twenty-two articles. The first directs the publication of his commission: and the second, the appointment of the council, according to his commission.and the instructions. But it must be observed upon this article, that no directions whatever are given, either in the commission, which refers to the instructions, or the intructions themselves, as to the mode in which the council shall be appointed; BUT IT

APPEARS,

THAT

THE

GOVERNOR

NAMED

THEM

HIMSELF.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh articles relate to the administering oaths, establishing judicatures, and providing for the security of the adjacent isles.

The eighth directs encouragement to be given to planters to remove to Jamaica from the other colonies.

The ninth directs-100,000 acres of land to be set apart in each of the four quarters of the island as a royal demesne, a survey to be made, and a, register kept of all grants, and a militia formed.

The tenth directs the planters to be encouraged, their landsconfirmed unto them by grants under the great seal, and appoints 50,000 acres of land to the. governor, for his own use.

The eleventh relates to the encouragement of an orthodox ministry : and the twelfth establishes a duty of five per cent. upon all exports after the expiration of seven years.

The thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth articles contain general-directions as to the liberty and. freedom of trade (except.

3

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BOOK (except with the Spaniards) assistance to the neighbouring II. plantations, and the security of the island, by obliging planters to reside in bodies together, and in contiguous- buildings.

The seventeenth directs, that, as an encouragement to men of ability to go to the island, no offices shall be held by deputy; and gives a power to the governor of suspension or removal, in cafe of bad behaviour.

The nineteenth empowers the governor to grant royalties and manors, or lordships, to contain less than five hundred acres.

The twentieth empowers the governor, with advice of the council, to call assemblies, to make laws, and, upon imminent necessity, to levy money ; such laws to be in force two years,

and no longer, unless approved of by the crown.

See the proclamation of the 14th of December, 1661, upon which the people of Jamaica have upon any occasion laid so much stress. proclamation was published by Lord Windfor upon his arrival; but nothing else material arises out of his short administration worth notice, for he staid but two months, and left the island, and the execution of his commission, to Sir Charles THIS

Lyttelton, who had been appointed lieutenant-governor ; and who governed with the advice of a council of twelve, appointed by himself, and called an assembly that made a body of laws, among st which was one for raising a revenue.

Nothing, however, which appears to be material, as to the form of the constitution, occured during his administration,

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which continued about twenty months ; when he was super- APPENDIX. seded by the arrival of Sir Thomas Modyford, who was appointed governor in chief by a commission under the great seal, which empowered him either to constitute, by his own authority, a privy-council of twelve persons, or to continue the old one, and to alter, change, or augment it as he thought proper; to create judicatories ; and make laws, orders, and constitutions, provided they did not extend to take away any right or freehold, or the interest of any person in their rights or freeholds, goods or chattels, and that they were transmitted to his majesty for allowance or disapprobation.

He was further empowered to command and discipline all military forces, to use martial law upon persons in military service, and establish articles of war; to create courts of admiralty, according to such authority as he should receive from the lord high admiral; to erect forts and fortifications; to establish ports, cities, towns, boroughs, and villages; to create manors and lordships ; to grant charters to hold fairs; to take surveys, and keep records of all grants of lands, under such moderate quit-rents, services, and acknowledgments as he should think fit ; and to prescribe terms of cultivation ; and grants so made under the seal, and enrolled, were to be good and valid against the crown ; to grant commissions for finding out new trades ; to pardon all offences, except murder and treafon, and in those cafes to reprieve for twelve months.

He was also empowered, with the advice of the majority of council, to frame a method for establishing general assemblies, and from time to time to call such assemblies together, and with their consent to pass all manner of laws, reserving to him

VOL. I.

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a negative

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BOOK a negative voice ; as also, upon imminent occasions, to levy II. money. These laws not to extend to taking away any one’s freehold, or to the loss of a member, and to be in force only two years, unless approved and confirmed by the crown.

This commission appoints a salary to the governor of one thousand pounds per annum, payable out of the exchequer.

The instructions, which consist of twenty articles, relate to the encouragement to be given to planters to come from the other colonies ; to the allowance fettled upon himself and the other officers; and extend to most of the points contained in Lord Windsor’s instructions; but direct, that the measure of setting out the 400,000 acres, as a royal demesne, shall be suspended; that no duties shall be laid in the island upon the import or export of any goods for twenty-one years, nor shall any duty be laid here upon the produce of Jamaica for five years.

By these instructions it appears, that the crown allowed two thousand five hundred pounds per annum for the support of government ; and what was wanted, over and above, was to be made good by a duty on stro g liquors, either made or imported, to be levied by the authority of the governor and council.

July, 1664, Sir Thomas Modyford issued writs for electing two assembly-men for each parish; which assembly met in October following.

It does not appear that this assembly sat above a month or two before they were dissolved ; but, during their sessions, they IN

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passed a body of laws, which was transmitted to the lord chan- APPENDIX. cellor, to be laid before the crown; but, not being confirmed, they would have expired at the end of two years; but (as I find it asserted by Lord Vaughan) the governor continued them in force to the end of his administration, by an. order of council. I cannot, however, find this order upon record, but, after that time a great many ordinances of the governor and council, in the nature and form of laws; in some of which it was declared, that they shall continue in force until another assembly was called, and then to be confirmed, altered, or repealed, as that assembly should see convenient: but no other assembly was called during Sir Thomas Modyford’s administration.

1670, Sir Thomas Modyford was recalled, and Sir Thomas Lynch appointed lieutenant-governor and commander in chief, with the fame powers as Sir Thomas Modyford had.

On the Ist of December, 1671, he issued writs for calling an assembly, to consist of two persons for each parifh; which met on the 8 th of January, and fat till June following, when the governor dissolved them, after having passed a body of laws, which were transmitted to England, but were not conIN

firmed.

In May, 1673, Sir Thomas Lynch called another assembly ; but, upon their refusing to grant money for the fortifications, he dissolved it after fitting only a few days; and, in January following, upon consideration that two years were almost expired since making the body of laws, and that his majesty had

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not been pleased to signify bis royal consent to them, a new assembly was called, which met the 18th of February, and, on the 14th of March, a new body of laws was passed, which were transmitted to England ; but, not being confirmed by the crown, expired at the end of two years.

the 3d of December, 1674, Lord Vaughan was appointed governor of Jamaica. A council, consisting of twelve persons, was named in the commission, with power to him to expel or suspend any of them, and, in case of vacancies, to fill up the council to nine. He was also empowered to call assemblies, according to the usage of the island; and, with the ON

council and assembly, to pass laws, which laws were to be in force for two years, unless the crown’s pleasure was in the mean time signified to the contrary, and no longer, except they were approved and confirmed within that time. . In the pasring of these laws, the governor was to have a negative voice, and to dissolve any assembly, as he should think proper.

Upon Lord Vaughan’s arrival in his government, he called an assembly, which met on the 26th of April, 1675, and palled a new body of laws.

It does not appear when this assembly was dissolved ; but in March, 1676-7, writs were issued for a new assembly, which met on the 26th of that month; and, having passed several other laws, they were dissolved on the 26th of July : and the laws passed by both assemblies having been transmitted to England, the council took them into their consideration, and, after frequent, deliberations upon them, and many alterations proposed

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proposed, they were referred, with the council’s observations APLENDIX. upon them, to the attorney-general to consider thereof, and to form a new body of laws for the good government of this island.

With these laws, the council took into consideration the flats and constitution of Jamaica, and made the reports upon it here :unto annexed, vide. Documents, No. 1, 2.

These reports having been confirmed, a commission passed the great feal, constituting Lord Carlisle governor of Jamaica, by which, and by the instructions annexed thereto, vide No. 3, 4. the form of government proposed in the council’s report was adopted and established,..

Upon Lord Carlisle’s arrival in his government, he found the people very much dissatisfied with and averse to this new form of government ; as will better appear by his letters, vide No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

These letters and,papers being taken into consideration by the council, as asfo a report thereon by the committee, the council, on the 4th of April, 1679, made the order No. 11 ; and, on the 28th of May following, the annexed report, No. 12, was presented to his majesty, and, being approved, was transmitted to the Earl of Carlisle, with the annexed letter, No. 13.

Upon receipt of these papers, the Lord Carlisle communicated them to the assembly, who presented an addrefs in answer to the report of the 28th of May ; which addrefs was transmitted to the council by Lord Carlisle. Vide No. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

On the 5th of March, 1679-80, the council took into confederation the letters received from the Earl of Carlifle ; and the

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the annexed extracts (No. 21 to 38, inclusive) of their pro* ceedings will shew their several resolutions and directions in consequence there of.

It is impossible, at this distance of time, to judge what motives could have induced the council, after they had shewn so much firmness and resolution to support the rights of the crown, by establishing in Jamaicathe Irish constitution, to give the point up, as it appears they did by the annexed explanatory commission to Lord Carlisse, No. 39, which contains the same power of making laws in assembly as is now given to the governor of Jamaica, and which, from that time, has been minutely the fame ; excepting only, that, in 1716, the governor was directed, by instructions, not to pass any laws that should repeal a law confirmed by the crown, without a clause of fuspension, or first transmitting the draft of a bill ; and, in 1734, this limitation was extended to all laws for repealing others, though such repealed law should not have been confirmed by the crown (b). (b) Neither of these orders are enforced, except in the cafe of private bills, the assembly having constantly refused.to admit suspending clauses in any publick act, and the crown, has long since given up the point.

It is impossible to quit this Historical Account, without lamenting that its able and accomplished author should have committed himself as he has done in the concluding paragraph. The wicked attempt to introduce an arbitrary form of government, he terms supporting the juft rights of the crown, and seems very seriously to lament that the privy-Council had not firmnefs and resolution to perfist in their project.

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DOCUMENTS ANNEXE

HISTORICAL

THE

TO

ACCOUNT.

NUMBER

I.

The Right honourable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations having this day presented to the Board the ensuing Report ; viz.

MAY

IT

PLEASE YOUR

MAJESTY,

E having, according to the trust reposed in us- in reference to

APPENW your majesty’s plantations, taken in consideration the present DIX. Rate and government of the island or Jamaica, particularly such

-matters as, from the nature of affairs as they now stand there, we have judged necessary to be-recommended to the Right honourable the Earl of Carlisle, whom your majesty has been pleased to nominate and constitute governor of the said island ; and having, after several meetings, agreed upon the following particulars, we most humbly crave leave to lay them before your majesty, for your royal determination.

The first point that did occur most worthy to be considered by us was, the power and manner of enacting laws for the civil, military, and ecclesiastical government ; and, upon taking a view of what has been prac- tised since your majesty’s happy restoration in the legislative, we find, that the methods and authorities for the framing and ordaining the said laws have been only such as were directed by your royal commission unto your majesty’s several governors, or prescribed by the instructions given 6

them

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them from time to time ; and that as the constitution and exigency of affairs have often changed, so your majesty has thought fit variously to adapt your royal orders thereunto ; and, by the last commission, given unto the Lord Vaughan, your majesty was pleased to empower his lordship, with the advice of your majesty’s council, from time to time to summon general assemblies of freeholders, who have authority, with the advice and consent of the governor and council, to make and ordain laws for the government of the island ; which laws are to be in force for the space of two years, except in the mean time your majesty’s pleasure be signified to the contrary, and no longer, unless they be confirmed by your majesty within that time. Having, therefore, directed our thoughts towards the consequences and effects which have been produced, or may arise, from this authority derived unto the said freeholders and planters, which we observe to have received a daily increase by the resolutions they have taken, less agreeable to your majesty’s intention, we do most humbly offer our opinions, that the laws transmitted by the Lord Vaughan, which are now under consideration in order to be enacted by your majesty, may be entrusted in the hands of the Earl of Carlisle, who, upon his arrival in the island, may offer them unto the next assembly, that they may be consented unto as laws originally coming from your majesty ; and that, for the future, no legislative assembly be called without your majesty’s special directions ; but that, upon emergencies, the governor do acquaint your majefty by letters with the necessity of calling such an assembly, and pray your majesty’s consent and directions for their meeting ; and, at the fame time, do present unto your majesty a scheme of such acts as he shall think fit and necessary, that your majesty may take the fame into consideration, and return them in the form wherein your majefty shall think fit that they be enacted ; that the governor, upon receipt of your majesty’s commands, shall then summon an assembly, and propose the said laws for their consent, so that the fame method in legislative matters be made use of in Jamaica as in Ireland, according to the form prescribed by Poyning’s law; and that, therefore, the present style of enacting laws, By the governor, council, and representatives of the commons assembled, be converted into the style of, be it §

enacted

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enacted by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the consent of the general assembly.

We are further of opinion, that no escheats, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, be mentioned in the said laws to be applied to the publick use of the island; and that your majesty do instruct your governor to dispose thereof for the support of the government. It is also our opinion, that in all laws for levying of money, and raising a publick revenue, the clauses whereby the said levies are appropriated unto the publick use of the island, without any mention made of your majesty, or unto your majesty for the said publick use, are so far derogatory to your majesty’s right of sovereignty, that they ought to be, for the future, altered and made agreeable to the style of England.

We do likewife offer it unto your majesty as necessary, that no minister be received in Jamaica without licence from the right reverend the lord bishop of London; and that none having his lordship’s licence be rejected, without sufficient cause alledged ; as also, that in the direction of all church affairs, the minister be admitted into the respective vestries.

And whereas it has upon some occasions proved inconvenient, that the members of the council have been constituted by your majesty’s commission; we are of opinion, that, for the future, they be only named in the instructions of the governor ; for the strengthening of whose authority under your majesty we do offer, that he may have power to suspend any of the said members, if he see just cause, without receiving the advice and consent of the council ; and also, that none of the said so suspended, or by your majesty’s order displaced, from that trust, may be permitted to be received into the general assembly.

And whereas nothing can contribute more to the welfare of your majesty’s island, than that all means be found out for the increase of trade; we do offer, for the encouragement thereof, that a mint be allowed in Jamaica, in such manner that no prejudice do arise unto your majesty’s other dominions, or that what bullion is brought from thence may be coined here in England ; provided that all such coins may bear your L 1 VOL. I. majesty's

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majesty’s royal superscription, and not be imposed in payment elsewhere.

All which, &c.

FINCH, DANBY, WORCESTER,

ESSEX, FAUCONBERRY,

CRAVEN, H. COVENTRY.

Tho. Dolmax.

His majesty, taking the fame in consideration, was pleased to approve thereof ; and did order, that the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry do prepare a commission and instructions for his majesty’s royal signature, for the Earl of Carlisle, according to the tenor of the said report.

NUMBER

II.

At the Court at Whitehall, the 15th of February, 1677-8.

PRESENT,

the King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Upon reading this at the board, a report from the Right honourable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations, in the words following: May it please your Majesty, HAVING received, on the 12th of January last past, from the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry, a draft of a commission and instructions 4

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instructions for the Earl of Carlisle, whom your majesty has appointed APPENDIX. to be your governor of Jamaica ; and having, after several additions and alterations, remitted the fame unto Mr. Secretary Coventry, on the 2d inst. we crave leave to offer to your majesty the most material points which did occur unto us upon perusal of the said draft; which are as followeth: ist. As we are of opinion that all members of council in Jamaica may, for the more easy passing of laws, be admitted into the assembly, if duly elected by the freeholders; so we cannot but advise your majesty, that as well the members of the said council suspended by your majesty’s governor, as the members displaced by your majesty, may be rendered incapable during which suspension of being admitted into the assembly.

2d. That although your majesty has, by an order of the 16th of November last past, thought fit that no assembly be called without your majesty’s especial leave and directions ; we think it very important, for your majesty’s service and safety of the island, that in cafe of invasion, rebellion, or fome other very urgent necessity, your majesty’s governor may have power, with the consent of the assembly, to pass acts for raising of money, to answer the occasions arising by such urgent necessities.

3d. That whereas hitherto, within your majesty’s island of Jamaica, the oaths of allegiance and supremacy have not been imposed on persons that bear any part of the government, except the members and officers of the council, and all judges and justices; so, for the prevention of future inconveniencies, and greater assurance of loyalty, towards your majesty, we are humbly of opinion, that all persons elected into the assembly shall, before their sitting, take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, which your majesty’s governor shall commissionate fit persons, under the seal of the island, to administer unto them, and that, without taking the said oaths, none shall be capable of sitting, although elected.

We have likewise, pursuant to your majesty’s orders, prepared a body of laws, such as the Right honourable the Earl of Carlisle may be empowered to carry with him, and to offer unto the assembly of Jamaica for their consent. Whereas we do not find, since your majesty’s happy restoration, that any laws transmitted from your majesty’s plantations have L l 2 been

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been confirmed by your majesty, either under the great leal of England, or any other signification of your majesty’s pleasure (the aft of four and a half per cent, in the Caribbee islands only excepted, which was confirmed by the order of council) and the intended method of enacting laws in Jamaica hath not as yet been put in practice; we humbly crave your majesty’s royal determination, whether the said laws shall pass only by order of your majesty in council, or under the great leal of England, that we may accordingly be enabled fitly to present them unto your royal view.

All which, &c.

His majesty was pleased to order, that Mr. Secretary Coventry do prepare Lord Carlisle’s commission and instructions concerning these matters accordingly: and as for the laws of the said island, his majesty by an order of the board, hath been pleased this day to declare his pleasure, that they shall pass under the great seal of England.

NUMBER III. Extract of King Charles the Second's Commission to the Earl of Carlisle.

AND we do hereby give and grant unto you, with the advice and consent of the said council, full power and authority, from time to time, as need shall require, to summon or call general assemblies of the freeholders and planters within the said island, and other the territories under your government, in such manner and form as hath been formerly practised and used in the said island of Jamaica.

And our will and pleasure is, that the persons thereupon duly elected, and having before their sitting taken the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, (which you shall ccmmissionate fit persons, under the seal of our island, to administer, and without taking which none shall be capable of sitting, though elected) shall be called and held the general assembly of the 3

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the said island of Jamaica, and other the territories thereon depending ; APPENDIX. and shall have full power and authority to agree and consent, unto all publick the peace, welfare, and good such statutes and ordinances for government of the said island, and other the territories thereon depending, and the people and inhabitants thereof, and such others as shall resort thereunto, and for the benefit of our heirs and successors, as having been by you, with advice and consent of the said council, framed and transmitted unto us, in order to be here enacted, by our giving our consent there unto, shall be by us approved and remitted unto you under our great seal of England ; which said statutes, laws, and ordinances, are to be by you framed as near as conveniently may be to the laws and statutes of our kingdom of England.

And we do hereby, nevertheless, authorize and empower you, in cafe of invasion, rebellion, or some very great necessity, to pass an act or acts, by and with the consent of the general assembly, without transmitting the fame first to us, to raise money within the said island, and the territories within your government, to answer the occasions arising by such urgent necessities.

And we give you likewise full power, from time to time, as you shall judge it necesssary, to dissolve all general assemblies, as aforesaid.

NUMBER

IV.

Extract of King Charles the Second's Instructions to the Earl of Carlisle.

AND whereas by our commission we have directed that, for the future, no general assembly be called without our special directions; but that, upon occasion, you do acquaint us by letter with the necessity of calling such an assembly, and pray our consent and directions for their meeting ; you shall, at the same time, transmit unto us, with the advice and consent of the council, a draft of such acts as you shall think fit and necessary to be passed, that we may take the fame into our consideration, and return them in the form we shall think fit to be enacted: in

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in and upon the receipt of our commands, you shall then summon an assembly, and propose the said laws for their consent.

And accordingly we have ordered to be delivered unto you herewith, a certain body of laws, for the use of our said island, framed in pursuance of other laws transmitted unto us by former governors, with such alterations and amendments as we have thought fit, with the advice of our privy-council here; which, upon your arrival in our said island, you shall offer unto the next assembly, that they may be consented to and enacted as laws originally coming from us.

We are willing, nevertheless, that in cafe of invasion, rebellion, or some very urgent necessity, you pass an aft or acts, with the consent of the general assembly, without transmitting the fame first unto us, to raise money within the said island, and the territories depending thereon, to answer the occasions arising by such urgent necessities.

And you shall take care that the present style of enacting laws, By the governor, council, and representatives of the commons assembled, be converted into the style of, Be it enacted by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the consent of the general assembly.

NUMBER

V.

Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Car lisle to Mr. Secretary Coventry.

I HAVE spoken with several of the council, and find some of them much dissatisfied at the alterations in the laws and manner of passing them, particularly at the latter part of the clause in the militia bill : “ but that in all things he may, upon all occasions or emergencies, act “ as captain-general and governor in chief, according to and in pursu“ ance of all the powers and authorities given unto him by his majesty’s “ commission; any thing in this cafe, or any other, to the contrary in “ anywise notwithstanding ;" which they are jealous of, left that thereby they shall make it legal to execute all instructions that either are or shall be sent to me, or any other succeeding governor ; which scruple might easily

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easily be avoided, but that the great seal being affixed to the laws, I APPENhave no power to make alteration, which I might have done both to DIX. their satisfaction and the preservation of the king’s rights. The ad for the revenue, too, I fear will not without difficulty pass; but I shall endeavour all I can to bring them to pass, for which I have greater inducements than my being here, without any hopes from the present state of the treasury, which is exhausted and in debt for their new fortifications.

NUMBER

VI.

Copy of a Letter to Mr. Secretary Coventry from the Earl of Carlisle.

St. Jago, 11th September, 1678.

Sir, THE assembly met on the 2d instant, and, I find, are so dissatisfied with the alteration of the government, that I question whether they will pass any of these laws : they have objections against several of them ; as the ad for the revenue that is perpetual, and may be diverted ; they are nettled at the expression in the preamble, that the revenue was raised by the governor and council; and though they cannot deny it to be truth, yet they fay that council was elected by the people, and, though continued under the name of a council, yet was in effect an assembly or representatives of the people.

I have given into their hands a copy of that ad and fourteen more, and gave them liberty to compare them with the original. The ad of militia and some others I keep by me, till I fee what they will do with those they have. All the ads are not yet transcribed ; for but one man can write at a time, and they are bulky; but 1 have enough to keep them employed The speaker came to me on Saturday, to desire liberty to adjourn for a few days, which I consented to, and they adjourned till Thursday morning. Lieut Col. Beeston is speaker, who I recommended to them upon Sir H. Morgan’s assurances that he would behave himself

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himfelf well. He hath the general repute of an honest and discreet gentleman, though he signed the order about the privateer, at which so much offence was taken; but I am satisfied he was no further faulty, than in complying with the directions of the assembly : and I the rather proposed him (whom they had a mind to choose) to gain the point quietly of recommending, which my Lord Vaughan, I am told, neglected to do.

The assembly appointed a committee to compare these laws with their former: it is said they differ in many things, especially from these laws last sent from Lord Vaughan, which are most usefully framed for their present benefit.

Popular discourses here as well as in England ; and I and a few men’s notions have taken such place with the leading men of the assembly, that they rather set themselves to frame arguments against the present constitution, than to accommodate things under it. I cannot yet tell you what course I shall take to remove this difficulty; but I will do the best I can. I find one of the council more faulty in this than any man in the island, but am unwilling to name him till I have tried the utmost to reclaim him.

Whilst we are here busy about small matters, I doubt your hands are full of greater, and may therefore forget us. We hear the French and Dutch are agreed.

I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, CARLISLE. NUMBER

VII.

Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Carlisle to the Committee, 24th October, 1678.

Lords, My I HAVE met with the difficulties here I foresaw, but could neither avoid nor prevent, in England. The general assembly meeting on the ad

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2d of September last, I recommended and sent to them the several bills APPENI brought over under the great seal of England, for their consent to be DIX. enacted; but being much dissatisfied at the new frame of government, and their losing their deliberative part of power in altering and amending laws, they would not pass any one of them, but threw them all out ; but prepared an address, with a bill of impost upon wines and other strong liquors for one year, without giving me notice thereof, in such terms and form as was not fit for me to pass it: but afterwards changing the style of enabling, as directed in my instructions, with some other amendments to this bill, the publick necessities of the island, having contracted many debts from new fortifications and salaries already due, requiring it, I gave the royal assent ; and then, on the 12th this instant October, I dissolved them. My earned fuit to all your lordships is, that you’ll please to have me in your thoughts, and the present state of this colony under your lordships’ consideration, for some expedient which may be elucidatory to the power given me by my commission and instructions, which may quiet the minds of persons generally dissatisfied in this island, which is most certainly under the greatest hopes of improvement of all the islands in the West Indies, and therefore mod fit for to be encouraged, with the king’s countenance and support, with good and acceptable laws.

What bills I shall fend to Mr. Secretary Coventry, I pray may be dispatched speedily when brought before your lordships, and received; an order to be passed through all offices without delay, being in part of what is so very much wanting towards the support of the good government of this island.

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Copy of a Letter from the Earl of Carlisle to the Committee.

My Lords, A FORTNIGHT ago I gave you an account upon what terms I had parted with the assembly. I have fince thoroughly considered of what might in this place mod conduce to his majesty’s service, and could not think of any better expedient than to fend the bearer, M m VOL. I. Mr.

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Mr. Atkinson to wait upon your lordships, He was Secretary to Sir Thomas Lynch and my Lord Vaughan, and has been enough acquainted with all my proceedings since my arrival, so as perfectly able to satisfy your lordships in any thing you may defire to know concerning the place, and to lay before you all the several interests of his majesty relating to it.

My lords, I find that the present form appointed for the making and passing of laws, considering the distance of the place, is very impracticable, besides very distasteful to the sense of the 'people here, as you may observe by the assembly’s address to me; and if your lordships will please to move his majesty to fend me a general instruction to call another assembly, and to re-enact and make what laws are fit for this place, I could then order the matter to conclude effectually to his majesty’s service. I have, by Mr. Atkinson, sent you the drafts of such bills as are the mostfundamental and chiefly concern his majesty’s interest ; and I do assure you, that I will not in any material point vary from them. He will, when your lordships order him to attend you, lay them all before you, and, I believe, give your lordships such thorough satisfaction, that you will rest assured that what I defire is for his majesty’s service, and that I shall be enough enabled by it to settle every thing upon so good a foundation, that neither his majesty nor your lordships will ever repent of having made any deference to my opinion: in it, my lords, much success depends upon the dispatch, and of the circumstances Mr. Atkinson will give you an account. His business is wholly to attend your lordships, and, I believe, he will always be in the way. He has prayed me to intercede with your lordships, to excuse what errors he may commit, as having been a West-lndian for these eight years past, and do on his behalf beg that favour of your lordships ; but hope that he will prove so discreet, as to give your lordships no manner of offence. I thought it the readiest and best way to have all things rightly understood, and do hope that issue will be produced from it.

I am, your Lordships’ most humble, and obedient servant, CARLISLE. St. Jago de la Vega, Nov. 15, 1678. x NUMBER

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IX.

Extractof a Letter from the Earl of Carlisle to Mr. Secretary Coventry.

ON the ad of September last, the general assembly met ; but under APPENDIX. so much dissatisfaction from the new frame of government, and their losing their deliberative part of power, in framing, altering, and amending laws, that they spent near a fortnight very uneasily about some of the laws, and would have begun with the bill of revenue to have thrown that out first, as a mark of their disallowing the new method of government, being so highly incensed that they were near questioning the king’s power and authority to do it : insomuch, that I, taking the maintenance thereof to be in my charge, and finding some of the council equally disgusted at the change of government, and foreseeing that it was like to encourage discontent in the assembly, to take them humour by themselves, I off, and leave the assembly upon their necessary absolutely to put this thought it question to each of the counsellors, in these words: “ Do you submit and consent to this pre“ sent form of government which his majesty hath been pleased to order “ for this island of Jamaica?” To which the chief-justice, Col. Long, refused to answer, with two more, Col. Charles Whitfield and Col. Thomas Freeman. The chief-justice, being a man of very great influence upon the assembly, I presently suspended, and gave the other two (less dangerous) till morning to consider on it: and then the chiefjustice sent to me his fubmission under his hand, and Col. Freeman submitted ; but Col. Charles Whitfield, otherwise a very good man, went away into the country.

The assembly received and examined all the laws I brought over, and drew up their reasons against passing them; of each, many were very frivolous, and the belt was, because they were not compared with and amended by the last laws of my Lord Vaughan’s, now with you, and received some two days before my coming away, the fleet then staying in the Downs, and my departure much prefled upon the expectation of war. These M m 2 reasons

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reasons against the revenue bill I answered individually; but no means or endeavours either I myself, the council, or both could use, would prevail with them to pass any one of them; and I look upon this to be their chief reason, that by not passing them they might the better shew their dislike of that new way of government; though they urge this for their enjoying a power of altering and amending laws, the necessity of changing them as often as occasions do require, and the distance from this place is so great, that before the king’s approbation can be obtained to a law, and returned hither, it may be fit for the publick good either to lay that law aside, or much to change and alter it; and, indeed, in this part of the objection I think they are in the right, for that they will want temporary laws till the colony be better grown: and, upon thorough consideration of the whole matter in this part, I am of opinion it is very advisable and requisite that there should be leave and power from the king to make laws (not relating to his majesty’s power or prerogative) to endure for some term till his royal approbation may be had therein ; and of this I do earnestly entreat your care.

Having used all methods possible with the several members apart, and jointly with the body of the assembly, for the passing the laws, I was, after many conferences and debates, and several adjournments, srustrated, and they threw them all out. Afterwards, in a full body, by the speaker they gave me the inclosed address, and presented to me a bill for a publick impost, prepared, without giving me notice thereof, in such terms and forms as was not fit for me to pass it in ; but at last in some part consented to such amendments as I and the council thought fit, changing the ftyle of enacting as directed in my instructions, but restraining it to one year, from a fear that if they should have made it perpetual, they should be assembled no more, but be governed by governor and council as they were in Col.. D’Oyley’s time, when they enacted laws, not only for the revenue but other occasions, by governor and council, and some part of Sir Charles Lyttelton’s time, as appears by our council-book upon the place; and Sir Thomas Modyford had an instruction to continue this revenue by order of governor and council, the assembly in his life-time passing it perpetual ; and in Sir Thomas Lynch’s time the assembly made it perpetual, but, for want of the king’s consent

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consent they both are fallen; but now, the assembly say, they are of a better understanding than to give the reins out of their own hands.

To this bill, the island’s affairs being under great pressures from publick debts contracted for the new fortifications and salaries already due, I gave the royal assent ; and then, being the 12th instant, I dissolved them.

Which having done, and not being satisfied with the behaviour of the assembly in their proceedings in relation to the government I stood charged with, most of them being in military trusts, I put this question to each of them: “ Do you submit to this form of government which “ his majesty hath been pleased to order for this island of Jamaica ?” to which several of them neither gave me a dutiful nor chearful answer ; some did, and at this some are. much dissatisfied.

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May it please your Excellency, WE, the members chosen by his majesty’s writ to be the general assembly for this his island of Jamaica, do, with a great deal of thankfulness, acknowledge the princely care which his majesty hath been ever pleased to have of this his colony, and of which your excellency hath likewise given to us very late and fresh assurances : and, in obedience to his majesty’s commands, we have perused the several bills which your excellency sent us; and, having duly examined the matters contained in them, we could not give our consent to any of them, there being divers fundamental errors, which we particularly observed, and did cause them to be entered in our journal ; and from the consideration of them we cannot but reflect, and do humbly beg your excellency to represent unto his most sacred majesty, the great inconveniencies which are like to redound unto this his island by this method and manner of passing of laws, which is absolutely impracticable, and will not only tend to the great discouragement of the present planters, but likewise put a very fatal flop to any further prosecution of the improvement of this place, there being nothing that invites people more to fettle and remove their family 1

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family and stocks into this remote part of the world, than the assurance they have always had of being governed in such manner as that none of their rights should be lost, so long as they were within the dominions of the kingdom of England: nor can we believe that his majesty would have made this alteration, had he been truly informed of his own interests, and of that which is proper and natural for the constitution of this island.

My lord, you that are now our governor, and here upon the place, cannot but distinguish both, and plainly fee that which, at great distance, is impossible to be known, being always distinguished with the false colours of interest and design. It is to you, therefore, we address ourselves; and do humbly beg you to allure his majesty, which we do from the bottom of our hearts unfeignedly declare, that we are his true, faithful, and loyal subjects. In the next place, sir, we humbly beg you to lay before his majesty the true condition of this island, and the several circumstances wherein it stands: the situation and natural advantages of the place will very probably, by God’s blessing, in a very short time, make it very considerable. It were pity, therefore, that any flop in its infancy should be put to it, which may hinder its future growth, and disappoint those hopes which his majesty hath ever had, and which will no doubt of it come to pass, that, if this island be encouraged by good government and wholesome laws, it will effectually serve very many interests, both of his majesty’s crown and the nation’s trade.

Sir, the present form of the government, as it is now appointed, has these plain and manifest inconveniencies in it: Ist. That the distance of this place renders it impossible to be put in practice, and does not in any manner fall under the fame consideration as Ireland does, from which, we conclude, the example is taken.

2d. The nature of all colonies is changeable, and consequently the laws must be adapted to the interest of the place, and must alter with it.

3d. It is no fmall satisfaction that the people, by their representatives, have a deliberative power in the making of laws; the negative and barely resolving power being not according to the rights of Englishmen, and practised no where but in those commonwealths where aristocracy prevails.

4th.

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4th. This manner of form of the government brings all things ab- APPENsolute, and puts it into the power of a governor to do what he pleases, DIX. which is not his majesty’s interest, and may be a temptation for even good men to commit great partialities and errors.

5th. The method which has been always used, both in this island and all other colonies, in the making' of laws, was a greater security to his majesty’s prerogative than the present form; for a governor durst not consent to any thing against his interest ; and if he did, the signification of the king’s pleasure determined the laws, so that his majesty had thereby a double negative.

Thus, sir, we have truly laid before your excellency our real sense ; and do hope that your excellency, being thoroughly satisfied of the mischiess which will certainly arise to this place from the reasons we have given, will in that manner represent our condition to his majesty, that he may be thereby induced to give an instruction to your excellency, to pals such laws as are municipal and fit for us, and in the fame manner which has ever been practised in this island and other his majesty’s colonies ; we having no other claim in it than to express our duty to the king, and. our unfeigned service and gratitude to your excellency, for mediating that which is so much for his majesty’s and the island’s interest.

And we do here likewise present unto your excellency a bill for the raising a publick impost unto his majesty, his heirs and successors, for the support of this his government ; and do hereby beg your excellency to accept of it as a real demonstration of our loyalty to our prince and service to your excellency, with assurance that we shall, upon all occasions, he ready to express such further testimonies of the fame as may be suitable to our duty and allegiance.

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XI.

At the court at Whitehall, 4th of April, 1679.

PRESENT,

the King’s Most.Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas the Right honourable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations did this day make Report unto his Majesty in Council, THAT having, in pursuance of his majesty’s order, considered the present state and constitution of Jamaica, and the government thereof, as it is settled by his majesty’s command, their lordships see no reasons why any alterations should be made in the method of making laws according to the usage of Ireland, for which their lordships are preparing reasons to evince the necessity and legality of the fame. And that whereas a ship is now lying in the Downs, bound for that island, their lordships advise, that the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry do, by this conveyance, inform the Earl of Carlisle of his majesty’s pleasure herein, with directions that all things be disposed to this end ; and that, in the mean time, the present laws enacted by Lord Vaughan be continued by proclamation, or otherwise, until his majesty’s pleasure be further known ; as also that his lordship do, by the first conveyance, fend over an authentick copy of theact for a publick impost, lately enacted there, according to his lordship’s instructions for matters of that nature.

His majesty, having thought fit to approve thereof, was pleased to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry do signisy his majesty’s pleasure unto the Earl of Carlisle, according to the said report,

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APPENDIX.

At the Court at Whitehall, the 28th of May, 1679.

PRESENT,

the King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas there was this day read at the Board a Report from the Right honourable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations, in the words following ; viz.

May it please your Majesty, WE have, in obedience to your majesty’s commands, entered into the present state of your majesty’s island of Jamaica, in order to propose such means as may put an end to the great discouragement your majesty’s good subjects there lie under by the unsettled condition thereof, occasioned by the refusal of the laws lately offered by the Earl of Carlisle to the assembly for their consent; at which proceedings dissatisfaction appears to have risen in the manner following : By the commission granted by your majesty unto the Lord Vaughan and several preceding governors, it was your royal pleasure to entrust the assembly of Jamaica with a power to frame and enact laws, by the advice and consent of the govenor and council ; which laws were to continue in force for the space of two years, and no longer: but so it hath happened, that your majesty, sinding the inconveniencies which did attend that power and manner of making laws, by the irregular, violent, and unwarrantable proceedings of the assembly, was pleased, with the advice of your privy council, to provide, by the Earl of Carlisle’s commission, that no laws should be enacted in Jamaica, but such as, being framed by the governor and council, and transmitted unto your majesty for your royal approbation, were afterwards remitted to Jamaica, and consented unto by the assembly there ; and, in pursuance thereof, the Earl of Carlisle carried over a body of laws under the great seal of EnaVOL. 1.

Nn land ;

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land ; which laws, upon his lordship’s arrival there, have been rejected by the general assembly, upon grounds and reasons contained in an address to your majesty’s governor, and in divers letters received from his lordship in that behalf.

1st. In the first place, we find, they are unfatisfied with the clause in the militia bill, whereby it is provided, that the governor may, upon all occasions or emergencies, ad as governor in chies, according to and in pursuance of all the powers and authorities given unto him by your majesty’s commission ; fearing that thereby they shall make it legal to execute all instructions that either are or shall be sent your majesty’s governor.

2dly. They have likewise rejected the bill for raising a public revenue, as being perpetual, and liable (as they say) to be diverted.

3dly. It is objected, that the said laws contain divers fundamental errors.

4thly. That they were not compared with, and amended by, the last laws sent over by Lord Vaughan.

5thly. That the distance of the place renders the present method of palling laws wholly impracticable.

6thly. That the nature of all colonies is changeable, and consequently the laws must be adapted to the interest of the place, and alter with it.

7thly. That thereby they lose the satisfaction of a deliberative power in making laws.

8thly. That this form of government renders your governor absolute.

9thly. That by the former method enacting laws your majesty's prerogative was better secured.

These being the objections and pretences upon which the assembly has, with so much animosity, proceeded to reject those bills transmitted by your majesty, we cannot but offer, for your majesty’s information and satisfaction, such a short answer thereunto as may not only give a testimony of the unreasonableness of their proceedings, but also furnish your governor, when cccasion shall serve, with such arguments as may be fit to be used in justification of your majesty’s commission and powers granted unto him.

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1st. It is not without the greatest presumption that they go about to APPENquestion your majesty’s power over the militia in that island, since it has DIX. been allowed and declared, even by the laws of this your kingdom, that the sole supreme government, command, and disposition of the militia, and of all forces by sea and land, and of all forts and places of strength, is residing in your majesty, within all your majesty’s realms and dominions.

2d. The objection made against the bill for the public revenue hath as little ground, since its being perpetual is no more than what was formerly offered by them unto your majesty, during the government of Sir Thomas Lynch, in the fame measure and proportion as is now proposed; nor can it be diverted, since provision is thereby expressly made, that the fame shall be for the better support of that government; besides, that it is not suitable to the duty and modesty of subjects, to suspect your majesty’s justice or care for the government of that colony, whose settlement and preservation have been most particularly carried on by your majesty’s tender regard, and by the great expence of your own treasure.

3d. It cannot with any truth be said, that these laws contain many and great errors, nothing having been done therein but in pursuance of former laws, at divers times enacted by the assembly, and with the advice of your majesty’s privy-council, as well as the opinion and approbation of your attorney-general, upon perusal of the same.

4th. To the fourth objection it may be answered, that, if any thing had been sound of moment or importance in the last parcel of laws transmitted by the Lord Vaughan, your majesty’s tender care of your subjects welfare would have been such as not to have sent those bills imperfect, or defective in any necessary matter.

5th. As to the distance of the place, which renders (as they fay) the present method of making laws altogether impracticable, your majesty having been pleased to regulate the fame, by the advice of your privycouncil, according to the usage of Ireland, such care was taken as that no law might be wanting which might conduce to the well-being of the plantation, and that nothing might be omitted which in all former governments had been thought necessary ; nor is it likely that this colony is subject to greater accidents than your kingdom of Ireland, so as to N n2 require

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require a more frequent and sudden change of laws in other cafes than such as are already provided for upon emergencies, or in other manner than is directed by your majesty’s commission ; whereby the inhabitants have free access to make complaints to your governor and council, of any defect in any old law, or to give reasons for any new one, which, being modelled by the governor and council into form of law, and transmitted unto your majesty, if by your majesty and council found reasonable, may be transmitted back thither to be enacted accordingly.

6th. It was sufficiently apparent unto your majesty, that laws must alter with the interest of the place, when you were graciously pleased to lodge such a power in that government, as might not only, from time to time, with your majesty’s approbation, and by the advice both of your privy-council here and of the governor and council there, enable the assembly to enact new laws answerable to their growing necessities, but even, upon urgent occasions, to provide, by raising money, for the security of the island, without attending your majesty’s orders or consent.

7th. It is not to be doubted but the assembly have endeavoured to grasp all power, as well as that of a deliberative voice, in making laws; but how far they have thereby intrenched upon your majesty’s prerogative, and exceeded the bounds of their duty and loyalty, upon this pretence, may appear by their late exorbitant and unwarrantable proceedings during the government of the Lord Vaughan, in ordering and signing a warrant unto the marshal of the island, your majesty’s officer of justice, for the stopping and preventing the execution of a sentence passed, according to the ordinary forms of law, upon a notorious pirate and disturber of your majesty’s peace: and they have further taken upon them, by virtue of this deliberative power, to make laws contrary to those of England, and to imprison your majesty’s subjects ; nor have they forborne to raise money by public acts, and to dispose of the fame according to their will and pleasure, without any mention made of your majesty, which has never in like cafe been practised in any of your majesty’s kingdoms. How far, therefore, it is fit to intrust them with a power which they have thus abused, and to which they have no pretention of right, was the subject of your majesty’s royal commission, when you were pleased to put a restraint upon those enormities, and to take the reins or government

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government into your own hands, which they, in express words, against their duty and allegiance, have challenged and refused to part with.

8th. It cannot with any truth be supposed, that, by the present form government, the governor is rendered absolute, since he is now, more of than ever, become accountable unto your majesty of all his most important deliberations and actions, and is not warranted to do any thing but according to law and your majesty’s commission and instructions, given by advice of your privy council.

9th. And whether your majesty’s prerogative is prejudiced by the present constructions, is more the concernment of your majesty, and subject of your own care, than of their considerations.

Lastly, and in general, we humbly conceive, that it would be a great satisfaction to your subjects there inhabiting, and an invitation to strangers, when they shall know what laws they are to be governed by, and a great ease to the planters not to be continually obliged to attend the assemblies to re-enact old laws, which your majesty has now thought fit, in a proper form, to ascertain and establish ; whereas the late power of making temporary laws could be understood to be of no longer continuance than until such wholesome laws, founded upon so many years experience, should be agreed on by the people, and finally enacted by your majesty, in such manner as hath been practised in either of your majesty’s dominions to which your English subjects have transplanted themselves. For as they cannot pretend to further privileges than have been granted to them, either by charter or some solemn act under your great seal, so, having from the first beginning of that plantation been governed by such instructions as were given by your majesty unto your governors, according to the power your majesty had originally over them, ever yet parted with, and and which you have by no one authentic having never had any other right to assemblies than from the permission of the governors, and that only temporary and for probation, it is to be wondered how they should presume to provoke your majesty, by pretending a right to that which hath been allowed them merely out of favour, and discourage your majesty from future favours of that kind, when what your majesty ordered for a temporary experiment, to fee what form would best suit the fifthly and interest of the island, shall be construed to be a total resignation of the power inherent in your majesty, and

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and a devolution of it to themselves and their wills, without which neither law nor government, the essential ingredients of their subsistence and well-being, may take place among them.

Since, therefore, it is evident, that the assembly of Jamaica have, without any just grounds, and with so much animosity and unditifulness, proceeded to rejet the marks of your majesty’s favour towards them, and that your majesty’s resolutions in this cafe are like to be the measure of respect and obedience to your royal commands in other colonies ; we can only offer, as a cure for irregularities past and a remedy agrainst all further inconveniencies, that your majesty would please to authorize and empower your governor to call another assembly, and to. represent unto them the great convenience and expediency of accepting and consenting unto such laws as your majesty has under your great seal transmitted unto them ; and that, in cafe of resusal, his lordship be surnished with such powers as were formerly given unto Col. D'Oyley, your first governor of Jamaica, and since unto other governors, whereby his lordship may be enabled to govern according to the laws of England, where the different nature and constitution of that colony may conveniently permit the same; and, in other cafes to act, with the advice of the council, in such manner as shall be held necessary and proper for the good government of that plantation, until your majesty’s further orders ; and that, by all opportunities of conveyance, the governor do give your majesty a constant and particular account of all his proceedings, in pursuance of your instructions herein.

All which is most humbly submitted, &c.

Upon reading of which report, and full debate thereupon, his majesty was pleased to approve the same: and the Right honourable Mr. Secretary Coventry is hereby directed to prepare such suitable orders and instructions as may answer the several parts and advices contained in the said report.

Robert Southwell.

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XIII.

Extract of a letter from the Committee to the Earl of Carlisle.

AFTER our very hearty commendation unto your lordship, we have APPENDIX. received two letters from you, the one of the 24th of October, the other of the 15th of November, 1678 ; both of which gave us an account of the distaste the a assembly had expressed at the new frame of government, and of their throwing out all the bills transmitted under the great seal; and your lordship having therein recommended unto us the speedy dispatch of the bills sent to Mr. Secretary Coventry, for passing them through the offices here, we did thereupon take the fame into our consideration : but finding that they contained such clauses as we had formerly (your lordship being present) disallowed in the laws enacted by the Lord Vaughan, as most prejudicial to his majesty’s rights and prerogative, one of them appropriating and disposing of the quit-rents in the fame terms as was formerly done, so much to his majesty’s dissatisfaction; another, declaring the laws of England to be in force, which clause (your lordship cannot but remember) was postponed here, upon very serious deliberation; besides divers other particulars, altogether unfit to be passed by his majety: we have, withal, perused the several letters which your lordship had written to Mr. Secretary Coventry, in relation to your government: and as for the laws, we could not advise his majesty to proceed in any other manner, than by giving power to call another assembly, and to offer unto them the same laws your lordship carried over, as being the most usefully framed and settled for the good of the island and his majesty’s service : and that, in cafe of refusal, you might be enabled to govern according to commissions and instructions given unto former governors, as your lordship will more fully understand by our report unto his majesty, and the order of council thereupon, to which we refer your lordship, as setting forth at large the grounds and reasons inducing the resolutions his majesty has now taken.

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XIV.

Extract of a letter from the Earl of Carlisle to Mr. Secretary Coventry.

St. Jago de la Vega, 30th Aug. 1679.

BOOK II.

YOUR packet by Captain Buckingham, having inclosed his majesty’s letter of the 31st of May last, and an order in council of the 28th of May, 1679, together with the animadversions of the council upon several points of the 22d of May last, and two letters from yourself, I received the 26th inst. at night. The next morning I read them in council.

The assembly then having sat some seven days, to renew the bill for a revenue, the last being juft expiring, I sent for the general assembly, and read the order of council and the king’s letter thereupon to them, which I hope will have some good effect ; but they came in as good time so much contrary to their expectation. I herewith fend you a copy of their address thereupon, which they presented to me the 28th; and finding them nettled and warm, I thought it discretion to let them take time to digest their thoughts; and, having continued the revenue bill for six months longer from the Ist of September next, I passed it, and then prorogued them till the 28 th of October following.

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Copy of a vote of the Assembly, Aug. 22, 1679.

DIE

VENERIS.

THE committee appointed to examine Mr. Martyn’s accounts reported, that Mr. Martyn, appearing before them, said, that my lord had ordered him to come and tell them, that, both from the king and from my lord, he was not obliged to shew his accounts to the assembly ; but that he had given them unto my lord, and his excellency had told him, that.

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that, if any of the assembly had a mind to see them, they might see them APPENDIX. there.

The house, considering the return of the committee ordered to inspect Mr. Martyn’s accounts, re-assumed that debate, and thereupon did vote, that, notwithstanding my lord’s answer by Mr. Martyn to that committee, it was and is their undoubted and inherent right, that as all bills for money ought and do arise in their house, so they ought to appoint the disposal of it, and to receive and examine all the accounts concerning the fame.

Vera Copia.

ROWLAND POWELL.

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XVI.

Extract of a letter from the Earl of Carlisle to the Committee.

St. Jago de la Vera, 15th Sept. 1679.

My Lords, YOUR lordslips letters of the 25th of March, 4th of April, and 31st of May last, I received on the 26th of August, as also your lordships orders and reports to his majesty, touching the laws and government of Jamaica; which I communicated to the council (the assembly then sitting to continue the revenue bill, expiring the 2d of September) on the 27th of August ; and afterwards, the same day, I communicated, the council being present, his majesty’s letter of the 31st of May last, and your lordships order and report of the fame date, to the assembly ; which came to me as seasonably as they received them surprisedly, making me the next morning the inclosed address ; upon which, having palled a bill of impost for six months, I prorogued them, by advice of the council, till the 28th of October next, hoping in that time they would sall of their heat, and, upon recollection, better bethink themselves of their duties and allegiance, and upon my offering them again the laws, which I propole to do upon their first meeting, better demonstrate their obedience by readily giving their consent that they might be enacted.

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But, from what I can learn from the chief leaders among them, I find the fame averseness as formerly, averring that they will submit to wear, but never consent to make, chains, as they term this frame of government, for their posterities ; so that I scarce expect better success ; of which I have writ at large to Mr. Secretary Coventry.

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XVII.

Extract of a letter from the Earl of Carlisle to Mr. Secretary Coventry.

St. Jago de la Vega, 23d November, 1679.

Sir, THE assembly meeting on the 28th of October, I, with the council, went to them; commanded the council’s report of the 28th of May, and his majesty’s letter of the 31st of May last, to be read again to them; pressed them very much to consider how much it imported at this juncture for the interest of the island, that they should pass these laws I brought to them under the great seal of England, or at least part of them; desiring that any one or more of the assembly would there and then argue the reasonableness of their objection, which none of them would undertake; and so I left the body of laws with them. They having the last session passed a vote, that the raising money and disposing of it, was the inherent right of the assembly (of which I had no account, either from the members or their speaker, in fourteen days afterwards, they presuming it to be their privilege that their proceedings should be kept secret from me) I then appointed and swore them a clerk, which. before used to be of their own choice; and this they are very uneasy under.

They proceeded to read over the body of laws : notwithstanding the great care, pains, and trouble I had taken with them, both apart individually as well as assembled together, they threw out and rejected all the laws, again adhering to their former reasons, rather than admitting or honouring those from their lordships for rules of obedience.

I thereupon presently, with the council, framed a bill of. revenue indefinite,

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finite, and sent that to them : but that had no better success ; and they APPENDIX. then attended me with the address, to be presented to his majesty, which also the humble send you; as defire of justification of his I herewith majesty’s council thereupon, which I and they earnestly delire your favour in humbly presenting to his majesty, being unanimously agreed to by all the council: but Col. Samuel Long (chief-justice of the island, whom I have found all along since my arrival here to be a most pertinacious abettor and cherisher of the assembly’s stubbornnefs in opposing this new frame of government, having had a hand, being their speaker, in the leaving the king’s name out of the revenue bill) refuses to join with the council in this their genuine act, and has sufficiently possessed himself of the opinion of the assembly, by advising and assisting them in the framing of their address: thinking their resolutions to be unalterable as his own, he is withdrawn to his plantation, some thirty miles off from this town, where at this juncture we have most need of council.

Upon serious and deliberate consideration of all which, I have sent him his quietus; and appointed Col. Robert Byndloss chief justice in his place, of whose fidelity to the king’s interest I have many proofs, having formerly executed the place, and was now one of the judges of the supreme court.

I have also suspended Col. Long from being one of the council, purposing, by the advice of the council, to bring or fend him, with six more of the assembly, to attend the king and council in England to support their own opinions, reasons, and address, wherein they are not ordinarily positive ; and this I do from the council here unanimously agreeing, that there is no other nor better expedient for the settlement of this government to a general consent.

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Extract of a letter from the Earl of Car lisle to the Committee.

St. Jago de la Vega, 23d Nov. 1679.

My Lords, MINE of the tenth of September last to your lordships I hope you have received; and what I therein sent your lordships, as my conjecture in O o 2

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in prospect, since the general assembly’s meeting, on the 28th of October last, have sound to be no vain prophecy.

Upon the assembly’s meeting on that day, I, with the council, went to the place where they were met, and again, in the prefence of the council and the assembly, commanded to be read your lordships report of the 28th of May last past made to his majesty, as alio his majesty’s commands to myself of the 31st of the same ; and thereupon offered to the assembly the body of laws brought over under the great seal of England for their content;'at the fame time declaring to them the great expediency it would be to all the officers of the island, and reason to persuade his majesty they were another people than represented at home; that it would induce the king to gratify them in what was necessary; and that, otherwise, they could not appear but in great contempt, to the lessening of the island’s interest in his royal favour; and what I urged, in general to them at their meeting, I had not been wanting to press to them apart individually before it: then swore them a clerk of my appointing, which they took not well, alledging it was their right to choose their own clerk. I told them no; for that the king did grant by patent the clerk of the parliament, so that they were uneasily over-ruled. The reason of my doing this was from their having an opinion that the votes of the house should be kept a secret from me, and their passing a vote the former sessions, that to raise money, and dispose of the fame, was a right inherent in the assembly, of which I had no notice, in some fourteen days after, from any of them or their speaker.

I much urged the whole assembly freely to argue, in the prefence of the council and their own members, for the reasonableness of the matter commanded by the king, that, upon their discoursing it openly and freely, they might be the better convinced of the necessity of their being dutiful therein; but none of them, in my prefence and the council’s, would undertake it; so we left them, and the body of laws with them.

Some days they spent in reading over again the body of laws under the great seal left with them; but rejected the many arguments I had laboured them with, and threw all the laws out again: whereupon they appointed a committee to draw up an address, to be presented by me to his majesty on their behalfs: and in that time, with the council, I drew a bill of revenue indefinitely, and gave it myself to their speaker ; but that bill had no better success, but was rejected also.

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Upon this, on the 14th instant, the speaker and assembly being sent APPENDIX. for to attend me in council, to shew cause why they did reject the bill of revenue so framed by us in pursuance of his majesty’s pleasure therein, they gave me no answer ; but, by their speaker, desired to present to me their address, the speaker contending to give it its due accent by reading it himself ; a copy whereof is here sent inclosed.

This address is founded greatly upon the advice of Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Long, chief-justice of the island, and one of the king’s council, who principally contends for the old frame of government, of whom the assembly is highly opiniated, and esteem him the patron of their rights and privileges as Englishmen, who had a hand in leaving the king’s name out of the revenue bill, being then speaker, and denies not his having a hand in framing and advising some parts of the address, which in whole is not truths ; for, 1st. Whereas they alledge, that the civil government commenced in my Lord Windsor’s time ; it is generally known and recorded in our council-book, fifteen months before, in Colonel D’Oyley’s time, and will be proved by Sir Thomas Lynch, who then himself had an occasion of a trial by jury, the foreman of which was Colonel Byndloss.

2dly. They alledge the readinefs of governors to use martial law, particularly in Sir Thomas Lynch’s times which is here contradicted, for there was only an order in council for the putting it in force upon condition of any actual descent or invasion, and not otherwises neither was it on foot really all this time here, as I am credibly informed upon good enquiry.

3dly. As for its being in force in my time, it was not from my affecting, but the council advising and their desiring its as also the putting off the Courts till February, in favour generally of the planters.

Then, for their alledging so much to be done during the martial law, wholly at the charge of the country ; that it is done is true, but the charge thereof they would clog the revenue bill with, amounting to twelve hundred and twenty-eight pounds, when, communibus annis, the bill of impost is but fifteen hundred pounds ; of which twelve hundred and twenty-eight pounds there is not yet made payment of one farthing, nor any prospect how it may, since the revenue is so much anticipated from the want of money in the treasury, occasioned by my Lord Vaughan’s letting fall the bill of revenue before his departure.

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NUMBER XIX. BOOK II.

To his Excellency Charles Earl of Carlisle, captain-general, governor, commander in chief of his majesty's island of Jamaica, &c.

The humble addrefs of the assembly of this his majesty's island, in answer to the report of the right honourable the lords of the committee of trade and plantations, made to his majesty's council ; which we entreat his excellency may be humbly presented to his most sacred majesty and his council.

WE, his Majesty’s most loyal and obedient subjects, the assembly of this his island of Jamaica, cannot without infinite grief of mind read the report made to his majesty by the right honourable the lords of the committee for trade and plantations; wherein, by the relations made by their lordships unto his majesty, they have represented us as a people full of animosity, unreasonable, irregular, violent, undutiful, and transgressing both the bounds of duty and loyalty; the bitterness of which characters were we in the least part conscious to have deserved, we should, like Job, have said, “ Behold, we are vile : what shall we answer ? we will lay “ our hands upon our mouths But, left our silence should argue our guilt, we shall, in all humility, endeavour to make appear we have always demeaned ourselves as becometh good and obedient subjects, and those who acknowledge and are truly sensible of the many favours received from his majesty ; the truth of which resting only on matter of fact being related, and the false colours which hitherto have been thrown on us being washed off, we shall not doubt but his majesty will soon entertain a better opinion of his subjects of this island.

We must, therefore, humbly beg that his majesty will with patience be pleased to hear the account of our proceedings ; which truly to manifest we must be forced to look back so far as Sir Charles Lyttleton’s and Sir Thomas Modyford’s entrance upon their government : At

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At which time, we humbly conceive, the island began really to take APPENDIX. up the form of a civil government, and wholly to lay aside that of an army, which, until that time, was deemed the supreme authority ; when after, upon their several arrivals, by order from his majesty, and according to the method of his majesty’s most ancient plantations, they called assemblies, and fettled the government of the island in such good form, that, until his excellency the Earl of Carlisle's first arrival, his majesty thought not fit to alter it, though several governors in that time were changed, which must necessarily infer the goodness and reason of it, as well as the satisfaction of the people (since, from that time, they betook themselves to fettle plantations) especially the merchants, by which means the estates here are wonderfully increased, as is evident by the great number of ships loaden here by the industry of the planter; and the satisfaction they received by thole wholesome laws then began, and until that time continued, the change of which laws we had no reason to expect, being done on such mature deliberation from home.

But to return to answer : the first thing their lordships are pleased to accuse us of is, presuming to question his majesty’s power over the militia ; which, how much they are misinformed in it, will hereunder appear: but we must first repeat the clause against which, we humbly conceive, we had juft reasons to take exceptions, which clause is as followeth : “ Provided always, and it is hereby further enacted and declared by “ the authority aforesaid, that nothing in this act contained be expounded, “ construed, or understood, to diminish, alter, or abridge, the power of “ the governor or commander in chief for the time being; but that in “ all things he may, upon all occasions or exigencies, act as captain“ general and governor in chief, according to and in pursuance of all “ the powers and authorities given to him by his majesty’s commission ; “ any thing in this act or any other to the contrary in any wise not“ withstanding.”

In their lordships observations, in which they take no notice that the power.given by that clause extends as well to the governor as captaingeneral, nor of the words “ any thing in this act or any other to the “ contrary notwithstanding,” which words, being plain, need no references 2 to

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to expound them, being consented to, there is no occasion of making any other law, because that makes all the powers and authorities given by his majesty’s commission, and, by that commission, the instructions which shall be after given to him, shall be law, though it be to the nulling of any beneficial law, made either here or in England, by which we are secured both in life and in estate; the like of which was never done in any of his majesty’s dominions whatsoever, and is in effect to enact will to be law, and will be construed (we fear) to bind us by the old rule of law, that every man may renounce his own rignt : and is their lordships had been pleased to have as well remembered the other clauses of the ad: of the militia, we cannot think they would have said we had questioned his majesty’s power over it, for no ad of England gives his majesty the like power over the militia as ours doth; tor, on any apprehension of danger, the general with his council of officers have power to put the law martial on foot for what time they please, and to command us in our own persons, our servants, negroes, horses, even all that we have, to his majesty’s service; which having been so often put in practice will need the less proof : but how readily and willingly we have obeyed, and in that faith is best justified by works, it will not be amiss to instance some times, and what hath been done in those times, by the charge and labour of his majesty’s subjects here, under the several governors ; none of which have left unexperimented the strength of his majesty’s commission, and the virtue or force of that ad, upon the least seeming occasion.

In the government of Sir Thomas Modyford, in the years 1665 and 1666, the whole island was put under law martial for many months together; in which time, by the inhabitants and their blacks, FortCharles was made close, which to that time wanted a whole line, and also the breast-work at Port-Royal was built, with a very small charge to his majesty.

In the time of Sir Thomas Lynch, in the year 1673, the law martial was again set on foot ; Fort-James built by the contributions of the gentlemen of his majesty’s council and assembly, and several other of his majesty’s good subjects in this island, which amounted to a very considerable sum of money; a breast-work thrown up at Old-Harbour and several

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several other places; and guns mounted on a platform placed at APPENDIX. Port-Morant.

In Lord Vaughan’s time, though there was no probability of war, yet he wanted not the trial of his power also in the militia, and our obedience to it; for he commanded out a company of the inhabitants in search of a Spanish barqua longa, who was said to have robbed a sloop belonging to this island upon the coast of Cuba : he, likewife, in favour of the royal company, commanded out to sea two vessels, with a company of the militia and their captain, from Port-Royal, to seize an interloper riding in one of his majesty’s harbours, and there by force seized her.

In the time of Sir Henry Morgan being commander in chief, we were again put under martial law; in which time Fort-Rupert, Fort-Carlisle, and a new line at Fort-James, were built.

Lastly, in his excellency the Earl of Carlisle’s time (the present governor) the law martial was again put in force for about three months; in which time Fort-Morgan with its platform, and another line at FortJames, and the breast-work reinforced very considerably in thickness and height, and new carriages were made for the guns, those that came out of England not being fit for land service; all which fortifications are substantially built with stone and brick, at the charge and labour of the country.

Neither have we ever been wanting in due respect to his majesty’s governors; the militia having always waited on them to church, in their progresses, and on all public occasions: and we may safely affirm with truth, that no militia in his majesty’s dominions undergo the like military duty as his subjects in Jamaica; as is evident to all men that ever set foot in Port Royal, which cannot be distinguished from a garrison, either in time of peace or war, but by their not being paid for their service.

To answer their lordships objections to the bill of revenue, wherein his majesty’s name was left out, there are several members of this assembly now sitting who were members when that bill passed three times in form in the assembly; and, upon the best recollection of their memories, they are fully persuaded and do believe the bill was again sent down VOL. I. with Pp

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with that amendment from the governor and council, according as it passed at the last : but, should it have risen in the assembly, they are very unfortunate if they must bear the censure of all mistakes that may happen in presenting laws to be passed, when both the governor and his council have their negative voices, which, had either of them made use of in this point, would have been readily consented to by the assembly, as they had formerly done, both under the government of Sir Thomas Modyford and Sir Thomas Lynch, before whose time it had been raised without mentioning his majesty’s name, and that without check; and we always concluded the governor’s name in the enacting part to be of the fame effect as his majesty’s is in England, whom, in this particular, he seems rather to personate than represent: for which reasons we hope, it ought not to have been imputed to the assembly as their crime altogether, being consented unto by his majesty’s governor, without any debate, and all applied by the act whereby it was raised, to the very fame public use his majesty directs; and we are certain no instance can be given of any money disposed of to any private use, but was always, issued by the governor’s warrant, for the payment of his own and other his general officers salaries in this island, with some small contingent charges of the government.

Their lordships also affirm, that the assembly offered this bill, in the same measure and proportion as it is now proposed, to Sir Thomas Lynch: in which their lordships are misinformed; for his majesty’s instructions were, that the laws should be in force for two years and no longer, which their lordships also acknowledge in the prior part of the report; so that the assembly needed not to have expressed any time, and the particular uses therein appointed.

But had their lordships known how great sums of money have been raised here, and how small. a part hath been applied to his majesty’s service for the defence and strengthening the island, we humbly conceive their lordships would have been of opinion, that we have no reason to bar ourselves to perpetuity, and pass the said act without limitation of uses or time; nor can we be so presumptuous as to imagine the king can be hindered from making such use of his own money as he shall think, fit, and apply it where he finds most necessary.

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It is very true the laws contain many and great errors, as their lord- APPENDIX. ships may fee by the assembly’s journal; so that were the assembly as much petitioners to his majesty for this new form as they are to be restored to their old, above half the body of these laws, without amendment, would never be reasonable to pass.

As, to instance some few amongst many: in the ad for preventing damages by fire, a single justice of the peace hath power of life and death ; and the ad of the militia empowers the governor and council to levy a tax on the whole island ; and in the ad directing the marshal's proceedings, there is a clause that makes it felony for any person to conceal his own goods, left in his own possesson, after execution levied by that law, so that a man may be hanged for being poor, which, though inconvenient, was never till then accounted capital ; with others too long to be repeated.

And whereas their lordships are pleased to fay, that there is nothing imperfect or defective in these bills transmitted hither; yet we humbly conceive, that no notice being taken in this body of laws how or in what nature we are to make use of the laws of England, either as they have reference to the preservation of his majesty’s prerogative or the subjects rights, we ought not in reason to consent to these bills ; for, nothing appearing to the contrary, the governor is left, ad libitum, to use or refuse as few or as many as he pleases, and such as suit with his occasions; there being no directions in them how to proceed according to the laws of England, either in causes criminal or testamentary, and in many other cafes which concern the quiet of the subject, both in life and estate.

We conceive also, that, whatsoever is said to the contrary by their lordships in answer to the distance of places, this very last experiment is sufficiently convincing of the truth of that allegation ; since it is a year since this model came over and was debated, and before their lordships report came back, notwith standing one of the advices went home by an express. And, Whereas their lordships fay, we cannot be subjed to more accidents than his majesty’s kingdom of Ireland; to that we object, that advice and answers thence may be had in ten or fourteen days, and that kingdom is already fettled, our plantation but beginning. But further, P p 2 we

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BOOK we cannot imagine that Irish model of government was, in principio, ever intended for Englishmen : besides, their lordships cannot but know, that II. that model was introduced amongst them by a law made by themselves in Ireland, and so consequently bound them, which, being now generally known to all those who remove thither, they have no cause to repine at, that being their choice to live under it or stay from it, and was made for the preservation of the English against the Irish faction. As there is not the lame cause, so there is not the fame reason, for imposing the lame on us, unless we did it ourselves, who are all his majesty's natural-born subjects of his kingdom of England ; which is the reason the parliament give, in all their acts concerning the plantations, for obliging us by them to what, and with whom, and in what manner, we may trade, and impose a tax on us here in cafe of trade from one colony to another; and it is but equity then, that the fame law should have the same power of loosing as binding.

His majesty giving a power, on urgent occasions, to raise monies the old way, only secures the king’s officers their salaries, which else they had been disappointed of; the act of the militia which was heretosore consented to, ever providing, that, on alarm or invasion, the commander in chief should have unlimited power over all persons, estates, and things, necessary on such urgencies.

As to the 7th, the assembly say, they never desired any power but what his majesty’s governors allured them was their birth-rights, and what they supposed his majesty’s most gracious proclamation allowed them : also his majesty was graciously pleased to write a letter to his governor Sir Thomas Lynch, after the double trial of one Peter Johnson, a pirate, signifying his dislike that any thing should be done that should cause any doubt in his subjects, in not enjoying all the privileges of subjects of the kingdom of England, or to that effect.

But as to the obstructing of justice against Brown, the pirate, what they did, though not justifiable in the manner, was out of an assurance, that we had no law in force then to declare my lord chancellor of England’s power, and our chancellor’s here equal, in granting commissions in pursuance of the statute of Henry the eighth ; which also his majesty and council perceiving, have, in the new body of laws, sent one to supply that

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that want: and if they, not meddling with the merits of the cause, en- APPENDIX. deavoured to preserve the form of justice, and justice itself, and, after denial of several petitions, joined with the council, were led beyond their duty (for which they were sharply reprimanded by the then governor) they do hope for and humbly beg his majesty’s pardon.

And as for the ad upon which he came in, it arose not in the assembly, but was sent from the council, to be consented to by them, which was accordingly done.

And as to the imprisonment of Mr. Thomas Martyn, one of their members, for taking out process in chancery in his own private concern against several other members, and of the council, the assembly then sitting, and for other misdemeanors and breach of the rules of the house ; they hope it is justifiable, the king’s governor having allured them, that they had the fame power over their members which the house of commons have, and all speakers here praying, and the governors granting, the usual petitions of speakers in England.

Seeing the governor hath power to turn out: a counsellor, and turning out incapacitates him from being an assembly-man, no counsellor dares give his opinion against the governor; under danger of less penalty than, losing that which lie thinks his birth-right: also, a governor being chancellor, ordinary, and admiral, joined with his military authority, lodges so great a power in him, that being united and executed in one person to turn it totum in qualibet parte, so that he may invalidate any thing done under his own commission.

There is no doubt but, by this new way, it is in the assembly’s power to consent to and perpetuate such laws as are wholly of benefit to them, and leave unpassed all that may be thought most necessary for his majesty; which advantage they not laying hold on, hope it will be an evidence they are careful of his majesty’s prerogative, as it is the duty of every good subject to be.

It is without controversy. that the old form of government, which was ordered so like his majesty’s kingdom of England, must of consequence be of greater encouragement to all his majesty’s subjects, as well as strangers, to remove themselves hither. Upon his majesty’s proclamation in my Lord Windsor’s time, and by those gracious instructions given

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given to Sir Thomas Modyford, all or most part of the sugar plantations have been settled ; and the major part of the said planters being fuch who arrived here and fettled upon the general liking of the model first constituted, and in belief that they loft not any of the privileges of his majesty’s subjects of the kingdom of England by their removal hither, and having by no act, as we believe, either provoked his majesty or forfeited our rights, or ever desiring or attempting to lessen or question his majesty’s prerogative, the preservation whereof we ever deemed the best means of preserving our own privileges and estates, we shall presume to hope for the continuance of his majesty’s favour, which is impossible for us ever to forget.

And whereas their lordships are pleased to offer their advice to his majesty, to furnish his governor with such powers as were formerly given to Colonel D’Oyley and others, in whose time the then accounted army was not disbanded, but so continued till Lord Windsor’s arrival, who brought over the king’s royal donative, and order to fettle the civil government : we hope their lordships intend not that we are to be governed by or as an army, or that the governor be empowered to levy any tax by himself and council; since his majesty having discharged himself and council, by an act of parliament, of any such power over any of his majesty’s subjects of his kingdom of England, as we undoubtedly are, it will be very hard to have any imposition laid on us but by our own consents; for their lordships well know, that no derived power is greater than the primitive.

However, if his most gracious majesty shall not think fit to alter this model, but we are to be governed by the governor and council, according to their lordship’s advice, yet we humbly beseech his majesty to do us the grace to believe, that we are so sensible of our duty and allegiance, that our submission to and comportment under his majesty’s authority shall be such as that, we hope, he, in his due time, will be graciously pleased to restore unto us our ancient form of government, under which it hath hitherto pleased God to prosper us: ending with our hearty prayers for his majesty’s long and happy reign over us, and most humbly begging his majesty’s pardon of all our errors and mistakes, and a gracious interpretation of this our answer; protesting, from the bottom of our x

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our hearts, that we are and resolve to die his majesty’s true, loyal, and obedient subjects,.

A true copy.

ROWLAND POWELL, Cl, Conc.

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The humble desire andjustification of the members of his majesty’s council, to his Excellency the Governor in Jamaica.

THE alterations of the frame of government in this his majesty’s island of Jamaica unto that of his kingdom of Ireland, which his majesty, the best and greatest of kings, hath gracioufly commanded us to submit unto and own, we his majesty’s truly loyal and dutiful subjects, hitherto have and yet do, by a willing readiness, and ready willingness, declare our entire obedience and hearty conformity thereunto, because his majesty commands.

And although his majesty’s great perspicuity and truly royal prudence best able to determine what government is the fitted: for his subjects is in this island, yet with all due submission, in all humility, we beg leave to represent to his majesty the great inconvenience attending the present frame, in transmitting our laws home.

The vast distance of place will of necessity require a great expence of time, between the first framing our laws here and the transmitting and return of them hither again ; so that, before they can be passed into laws by the assembly here, there will probably as great cause arise to alter as there were at first to make them.

And, with all due submission, we judge it even impossible to adapt laws to the present constitution, so as not to admit of often and great alterations; for, according to our experience hitherto, we have found urgent occasions to alter and amend the laws, that have more immediately concerned us here, at the least every two years; and we cannot forefee but we shall lie under the fame necessity still ; so that if his majesty

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majesty graciously please to take it into his princely consideration, and either restore to us our former power and way or method of passing laws, or at least remit that part of the present method of making laws which only concerns us here, as they may pass without transmitting the fame, we hope, by our present submission and entire obedience to all his laws here, his majesty will be a glorious prince and his subjects here an happy people.

And whereas the gentlemen of the assembly, in their address to his majesty read here in council the 15th of November, 1679, do declare, that as to the bill of revenue wherein his majesty’s name was left out, that there are several of the members of their assembly now sitting who were members when the bill passed three times in form in the assembly, and, upon the belt recollection of their memories, they are fully persuaded and do believe the bill was again sent down with that amendment from the governor and council, according as it passed at the last : we, the gentlemen of his majesty’s council here present at the passing of the bill, do most humbly and with all seriousness aver and declare, that we were so far from consenting the said bill should pass without his majesty’s name in it, that we do not remember it was ever debated or mentioned in council; and further, that, to the best of our respective knowledge, it was read three times, and passed the council-board, with his majesty’s name in it: and we are the rather induced to this our confidence, because we find the original aft was razed, and, by the then speaker’s own hand, interlined ; and moreover, the several amendments of the said bill, that were made in council, were all taken notice of in the minutes in our council-books, and no mention made of this ; and the gentlemen of the assembly do produce nothing out of their journal to justify the reflections upon us; therefore it is to be presumed they cannot.

And we do further humbly and unanimoufly declare, we never did at any time, either jointly or severally, make any complaint to the assembly, or any of them, of the power given by his majesty to his excellency our present governor to suspend any of his majesty’s council here; for as we have hitherto yielded all due obedience and submission to his majesty’s royal will and pleasure concerning us, so we hope we shall approve ourselves such, and, as in duty bound, ever pray for his majesty’s

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jesty’s long life, and that he may prosperously and triumphantly reign APPENDIX. over us.

This was unanimously agreed to in council by the respective members thereof who were present at the passing the bill of revenue : Colonel Thomas Ballard, Colonel John Cope, Colonel Robert Byndloss, Colonel Thomas Freeman, Colonel William Joy, Colonel Thomas Fuller, John White, Esquire ; And consented to by the whole council, excepting Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Long.

Received from the Earl of Carlisle, 26th February, 1679-80,

NUMBER

XXI.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, the 5th of March, 1679-80, PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Lord President, Lord Privy-Seal,

Marquis of Worcester, Earl of Bridgewater Earl of Essex,

Mr, Hyde, Mr Secretary Coventry, Sir Leolin Jenkins.

A LETTER from the Earl of Carlisle to the committee, dated 23d of November last, is read, wherein his lordship acquaints the committee, that, having called the council and assembly together, he had caused their lordships report of the 28th of May to be publickly read; 'which their lordships think to be disagreeable to the directions of the VOL. I. report; Q q

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report, which was only presented to his majesty for his information, and in order to furnish the Earl of Carlisle, when occasion should serve, with such arguments as might be fit to be used in justification of his majesty’s commission and instructions; and their lordships particularly take notice, that it was neither necessary nor convenient for him to expose his instructions to the assembly : and as to the clerk of the assembly, which his lordship had appointed, the committee does very much approve his lordship’s proceedings therein, and will defire him to continue the fame method for the future.

And whereas Colonel Long is represented to have a hand in leaving out the king’s name in the late bill of revenue, and in framing and advising the address of the assembly now transmitted to his majesty; their lordships will report, that the Earl of Carlisse may be ordered to fend him to England, to answer what is laid to his charge.

The address of the assembly of Jamaica to his majesty, in answer to a report of the committee approved on the 28th of May last, being read, their lordships observe, that there are many falsities and mistakes contained therein.

First, it is alledged by the assembly, that the island took up the civil form of government in the time of Sir Thomas Modyford and Sir Charles Lyttelton; whereas it is certain, that Colonel D’Oyley had a commission, soon after his majesty’s restoration, to govern by the civil power.

As to their denial of having left; out his majesty’s name in the revenue bill, it is evident, by the justification of the council, and assurance of the Lord Vaughan, that the bill passed the governor and council with his majesty’s name, which was afterwards left out, or erased, as may be supposed by the interlineation that yet appears upon the original bill.

And whereas it is said, that their lordships are misinformed, in affirming that the assembly had before offered the bill of revenue in the fame measure and proportion as is now proposed, since the laws were to be in force for two years, and no longer: the assembly have quite forgotten, or pretended to be ignorant of, the powers fettled by his majesty’s commission to Sir Thomas Lynch, whereby the laws were to be in force for two years, and no longer, unless confirmed by his majesty within that time ;

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time ; so that the bill transmitted by Sir Thomas Lynch wanted only his APPENDIX. majesty’s approbation to render it perpetual.

The assembly further mentions the great sums raised in Jamaica, which had not been employed to his majesty’s service; but does not instance the misapplication of any part of the revenue by any of the governors.

It is also to be observed, that the law for preventing damages by fire, of which they complain, was first made by them ; as also the aft directing the marshal’s proceedings cannot be but very reasonable, and for the advantage of the planters, since it gives them the use of their goods after execution, and enables them the better to pay their debts.

And whereas the assembly complains, that there is no law transmitted to them for ascertaining the laws of England ; it is thought reasonable, that his majesty should retain within himself the power of appointing the laws of England to be in full force in that island, as he shall find necessary.

The delays and length of time, alledged by them in reference to the model prescribed by his majesty, were wholly occasioned by the refractoriness of the assembly, and not by the distance of places, or other reasons.

What they object concerning Ireland, in reference to Jamaica, is frivolous ; since the English there have right to the fame privileges as those of Jamaica, and are bound up by acts of parliament in England, as well as the inhabitants of Jamaica.

To the 7th objection it is replied, that nothing has been done to take away their enjoyment of all the privileges of English subjects, since they are governed by the laws and statutes of this realm.

Their unwarrantable proceedings in obstructing of justice against Brown the pirate is confessed, and his majesty’s pardon prayed by them.

Their lordships think the imprisonment of Martyn, and the articles preferred against him, altogether unjustifiable, not only as he was his majesty’s collector, but as the assembly ought not, by the pretensions of privilege, to shelter themselves from justice, there being no such usage in Barbadoes and other plantations.

In the 9th place, it is altogether erroneous in the assembly to think it is, by the present model, in their own power, to accept such laws as are Q q 2 wholly

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wholly of benefit to themselves, and to reject such as are most necessary for his majesty ; since the governor yet retains a negative voice, after the consent of the assembly.

And whereas they very much insist upon his majesty’s proclamation in my Lord Windsor’s time : his majesty has not in any instance withdrawn the effects of his promise to them, nor imposed several rules and instructions that were prescribed in Sir Thomas Modyford’s commission and instructions, whereby he had power, with the advice of the council, to raise money on strong liquors: and the assembly can as little believe they have not provoked his majesty to keep a strict eye upon them, after their several unwarrantable proceedings during the government of the Lord Vaughan, and since of the Earl of Carlisle, by their votes and otherwise.

In the last place, it is falsely insinuated by the assembly, that the government remained under an army in Colonel D’Oyley’s time; since it appears plainly by his commission, that it was otherwise provided, and that the martial lav/ was then laid aside : so that, upon the whole matter* they have reason to beg his majesty’s pardon for all their errors and mistakes.

The justification of the council of Jamaica, in answer to the imputation of the assembly, of their leaving out the king’s name in the revenue bill, is also read; and to be made use of by the governor, to disprove the allegations of the assembly in their own behalf.

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301 APPENDIX.

XXIII.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Monday the 8th of March, 1679-80, PRESENT,

Lord Privy Seal,

Earl of Bridgewater,

Sir Leolin Jenkins.

THE Lord Vaughan attends, concerning the charge against Colonel Long, of Jamaica, for razing out the king’s name in the ad of revenue ; and declares, that he is very confident that the bill came up from the assembly to the council with the king’s name in it, and that it was not put out by the council, nor by his privity; and that when Mr. Martyn came to Jamaica with the king’s patent to be collector, his lordship then lent for the ad, and perceived the interlineation to be in Colonel Long’s hand; and that his lordship does absolutely agree with the council of Jamaica, in the matter of their justification.

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XXIV.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Thursday the 11th of March, 1679-80, PRESENT,

Lord President, Lord Privy-Seal,

Marquis of Worcester, Earl of Bridgewater,

Sir Leolin Jenkins.

THEIR lordships take into consideration the state of the government in Jamaica, and agree to refer the queries following to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, for their opinions therein; viz. ist. Whether, from the past and present state of Jamaica, his majesty’s subjects inhabiting and trading there have a right to the laws of England, as Englishmen, or by virtue of the king’s proclamation, or otherwise ?

2d. Whether his majesty’s subjects of Jamaica, claiming to be governed by the laws of England, are not bound as well by such laws as are beneficial to the king, by appointing taxes and subsidies for the support of the government, as by other laws, which tend only to the benefit and ease of the subject ?

3d. Whether the subsidies of tonnage and poundage upon goods that may by law, or shall be directly carried to Jamaica, be not payable, according to law, by his majesty’s subjects inhabiting that island, or trading there, by virtue of the ads of tonnage and poundage, or other ads made in England ?

4th. Whether wine or other goods, once brought into England and transported from thence, upon which the respective abatements are allowed upon exportation, according to law, the fame being afterwards carried

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ried to Jamaica and landed there, shall not be liable to the payment of APPENthe full duty of tonnage and poundage which it should have paid if conDIX. sumed in England, deducting only such part of the said duty as shall not be repaid in England upon exportation of the said goods from thence ?

Which queries were accordingly transmitted to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General, with a paper containing the past and present state of Jamaica, in relation to the government.

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XXV.

Letter to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.

Council chamber, 11th March, 1679-80.

Gentlemen, THE right honourable the lords of the committee for trade and plantations, upon consideration of the affairs of Jamaica, have stated the questions following; viz.

Here were recited the queries stated in the preceding number.]

To which questions their lordships defire your answer in writing, with all convenient speed: and, for your information, I have inclosed a paper, containing a short account of the past and present state of the government in Jamaica; and in cafe you should require any further satisfaction therein, or touching the queries referred unto you, I am ordered by the lords of the committee to attend you at any time or place you shall think fit to appoint.

I am, with all respect, gentlemen, &c.

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XXVI.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, the 27th of April, 1680, PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Lord President, Earl of Sunderland,

Earl of Essex, Viscount Fauconberg,

Mr. Hyde, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

MR. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General having likewise acquainted the committee, that, upon consideration of the four questions concerning Jamaica, referred unto them the nth of March, they did find them of such difficulty and moment as to deserve the opinion of the judges: it is agreed that they be accordingly referred unto the judges; upon whom Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General are desired to attend with them ; Mr. Attorney having first delivered his opinion, “ that the people “ of Jamaica have no right to be governed by the laws of England, but “ by such laws as are made there, and established by his majesty’s autho“ rity.” But whereas Mr. Solicitor General doth deliver his opinion, that the word “ dominion,” in the act of parliament for tonnage and poundage, may seem rather to imply the dominion of Wales and Berwick upon Tweed only, than to extend to the plantations; and more especially, as Mr. Attorney alledges, since the islands of Guernsey and Jersey are not concerned in that act; their lordships order the two first questions only to be sent unto the judges, without any mention to be made of the two last, which particularize the act of tonnage and poundage.

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APPENDIX.

XXVII.

References to the judges about Jamaica.

Council-chamber, 27th April, 1680.

Gentlemen, I AM commanded by the right honourable the lords of the privycouncil appointed a committee of trade and foreign plantations, to signify their defires that you attend his majesty’s judges with the questions following : ist. Whether from the past and present state of Jamaica, his majesty’s subjects inhabiting and trading there have a right to the laws of England, as Englishmen, or by virtue of the king’s proclamation, or otherwife ?

2d. Whether his majesty’s subjects of Jamaica, claiming to be governed by the laws of England, are not bound as well by such laws as are beneficial to the king, by appointing taxes and subsidies for the support of the government, as by other laws,, which tend only to the benefit: and ease of the subject ?

Which questions their lordships defire his majesty’s judges to consider and answer in writing, and to return the opinions to the committee with, convenient speed.

I am, with respect, & c.

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XXVIII.

Order to the judges about the question of Jamaica.

At the court at Whitehall, the 23d of June, 1680.

PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Archbp. of Canterbury, Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lord Privy-Seal, Duke of Albemarle, Marquis of Worcester, Earl of Ossory,

•His Majesty, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Sunderland, Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Bath, Lord Bishop of London, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Finch, Lord Chief Justice North,

Mr. Coventry, Mr. Secretary Jenkins, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Godolphin.

IT is this day ordered in council, that Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General do attend his majesty’s judges, and defire them to assemble with all convenient speed, and, being assembled, to confer with them concerning this question; viz.

Whether, by his majesty’s letter, proclamation, or commissions, annexed, his majesty hath excluded himself from the power of establishing laws in Jamaica, it being a conquered country, and all laws settled by authority there being now expired ?

And that, upon receiving the opinions of his majesty’s judges, under their hands in writing, they do report the same to the lords of the privycouncil appointed a committee for trade and foreign plantations.

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XXIX.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, the 7th of September, 1680, PRESENT,

Lord President,

Marquis of Worcester,

Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

MR. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the committee, that Colonel Long, of Jamaica, had some days before surrendered himself to him, upon a bond of ten thousand pounds given to the Earl of Carlisle to that purpose ; and that he had taken his security for the like sum, that he would attend the first council, on Friday next, being the 10th instant.

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XXX.

Copy of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Lord President,

Marquis of Worcester, Earl of Clarendon,

Earl of Bath, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

THE Earl of Carlisle is called in, and delivers a paper containing a charge against Colonel Long, which is read, con sisting chiefly in three points ; viz. That he had razed the king’s name out of the act for raising a publick revenue ; that he had granted an habeas corpus, being judge, for R r 2 a person

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a person condemned by law and had opposed the settlement of the country pursuant to the king’s orders.

And his lordship declaring, that he had nothing more to fay against Colonel Long than was concained in that paper, only reserving to himself the liberty of explaining what he had therein mentioned, Colonel Long is called in, and the paper read to him; whereupon he positively denies that he had done any thing to the bill without the directions of the assembly ; and that he believes the razure happened, inasmuch as the clerk of the assembly had transcribed the bill passed in Sir Thomas Lynch’s time, which was now blotted out by the agreement of the governor, council, and assembly, and the words written in his hand were only added to make up the sense, which otherwise would have been, wanting, which he did as speaker of that assembly from whom he had directions ; which is confirmed by the letters of Major Molesworth, Mr. Bernard, Mr. Ashurst, Mr. Burton, and of the clerk of the assembly.

As to the granting an habeas corpus, he declares he did not know the person was condemned ; and that it is usual for the j udges to sign blank habeas corpus’s, which the clerk gives out in course.

And that he never opposed the king’s orders, otherwise than by expressing his opinion, that they were not for his majesty’s service, nor the good of the country.

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XXXI.

APPENDIX.

Extract of an order in council.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Tuesday the 12th of October, 1680, PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Lord President, Lord Privy-Seal, Marquis of Worcester,

Earl of Sunderland, Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Halifax, Visc. Fauconberg,

Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

309

Hyde, Godolphin, Secretary Jenkins, Seymour.

THE Earl of Carlisle attending, acquaints the committee, that the aft for raising a publick revenue will expire in March next, and that the government will be left under very great necessities, in cafe the king do not give Sir Henry Morgan leave to pass a temporary bill, until the full settlement of affairs shall be agreed on, which is like to take up a considerable time ; and therefore proposes, that the order in council, dated the 14th of January last (which is read) forbidding the governor to raise money by any other aft or order whatsoever than by the bill transmitted by his majesty, which the assembly will not be willing to pass until the government be entirely fettled in such manner as may be more agreeable to them than the Irish model, be suspended. His lordship proceeds to give an account of his transactions with the assembly to persuade them to pass the revenue bill, and reads the objections of the assembly, and his answer to them whereof, and of the council-books, his lordship is desired to give a transcript to the committee.

There having been two laws read which were entered therein, the one made by Colonel D’Oyley and the council, for raising imposts on liquors, the other by Sir Charles Lyttelton and his council, being a supplemental aft to the former: And his lordship acquainting the committee, that, as for licences of taverns, he had set them on foot before he passed any bill of revenue : It

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It is thereupon thought fit, by some of their lordships, that the assembly of Jamaica be induced to pass a perpetual bill, by having leave to appropriate the revenue to the support of the government.

And the committee is appointed to meet again on this business on Thursday, at nine o’clock in the morning ; when Colonel Long, and the other assembly men lately come over, are to attend.

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XXXII.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Thursday the 14th of October, 1680, PRESENT,

Earl of Clarendon, Prince Rupert, Earl of Essex, Lord President, Earl of Halifax, Lord Privy-Seal, Marquis of Worcester,

Viscount Fauconberg, Lord Chief Justice North, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

THE Earl of Carlisle attends, and produces an entry in the councilbook of Jamaica, of a law palled by Colonel D’Oyley and the council, for raising a publick revenue, and of another palled by Sir Charles Lyttelton and the council, being a supplemental ad to the former, both which are indefinite, and not determined by the commissions of Colonel D’Oyley or my Lord Windsor, whole deputy Sir Charles Lyttelton was.

After which, Colonel Long and Mr. Ashurst are called in (the other gentlemen of Jamaica being in the country) and being asked, Why they were not willing that a perpetual bill of revenue should pass in Jamaica ? they made answer, that they have no other way to make their aggrievances known to the king, to have them redressed, than by the dependance of the governor upon the assembly, which is preserved by passing temporary bills of revenue ; and that, a perpetual bill being passed, all the ends of government would be answered, and there would be no further need of calling assemblies. To which my Lord of Carlisle replies, that, notwithstanding

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notwithstanding any act for raising an impost on liquors should be passed APPENin that manner, yet the necessities and contingencies of the government DIX. are such as to require the frequent calling of assemblies, for raising money by other means, and doing publick works, the present revenue coming far short of the expence of the government.

Their lordships tell Colonel Long, that, in case they be willing and pass the act of revenue indefinitely, the king may be induced to settle other perpetual laws, which they shall propose as beneficial to them.

The gentlemen of Jamaica being withdrawn, their lordships enter upon a debate concerning a continuance of the two laws made by Colonel D’Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttelton before mentioned, and how far the English laws and methods of government ought to take place in Jamaica; and it is there alledged, “ that the laws of England caymot be in force in ano" ther country, where the constitution of the place is different from that of " England."

Upon the whole matter, the committee desire my Lord Chief Justice North to report his opinion in writing, on Monday next, upon the questions following ; viz. ist. Whether the king, by his proclamation published during my Lord Windsor’s government, his majesty's letter dated 15th of January, 1672-3, or any other ad, appearing by the laws of England or any laws of Jamaica, or by his majesty’s commissions or instructions to his governors, has divested himself of the power he formerly had to alter the forms of government in Jamaica ?

2d. Whether any act of the assembly of Jamaica, or any other ad of his majesty or his governors, have totally repealed the acts made by Colonel D’Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttelton for raising a publick revenue, or whether they are now in force ?

Memorandum, His majesty being present, my Lord Chief Justice North was added to the committee.

Memorandum, Colonel Long having mentioned some transactions of my Lord Vaughan's during his government, his lordship is to be summoned for the next meeting.

8

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XXXIII.

JAMAICA.

At the, committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, on Monday the 18th of October, 1680, PRESENT.

Lord President, Lord Privy-Seal, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Essex,

Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Halifax, Lord Visc. Fauconberg,

Lord Chief Justice North, Mr. Secretary Jenkins, Mr. Seymour.

MY Lord Chief Justice North having acquainted the committee, that he had considered of the two questions proposed by their lordships ; and that, although some further time would be requisite for him to give in his answer, yet, in respect of the haste that was necessary for settling the revenue, his lordship undertakes to return his answer at the next meeting upon the second question ; wherein his lordship is desired to take to his assistance some other of his majesty’s judges ; viz.

Whether any act of the assembly of Jamaica, or any act of his majesty or his governors, have totally repealed the acts made by Colonel D’Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttelton, for raising a publick revenue, or whether they are now in force ?

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XXXIV.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, on Wednesday the 20th of October, 1680, PRESENT,

Lord Bishop of London, Earl of Essex, Lord President, Secretary Jenkins, Earl of Halifax Mr. Sunderland, Earl of Earl of Bridgewater, Lord Chief Justice North, Mr. Seymour.

MY Lord Chief Justice North having delivered his opinion in writing upon the question recommended to him at the last meeting, Colonel Long, Mr. Beeston, Mr. Ashurst, and other planters and merchants of Jamaica, together with the Earl of Carlisle, are called in, and his lordship’s opinion is read to them ; whereby his lordship concludes, that the ad of revenue made in 1663 by Sir Charles Lyttelton, is yet in force, as being not repealed by any subsequent ads, which were limited to the term of two years by his majesty’s commands. But Colonel Long objects, that there was a law made by Sir Thomas Modyford, which declares all laws passed at Sir Charles Lyttelton’s assemblies void, for want of due form in the writs, and other particulars : whereupon they are bid to withdraw ; and whereas my Lord Chief Justice North was not present when this objection was made, their lordships think fit that he be acquainted therewith, and desired to renew his opinion ; and the gentlemen of Jamaica are also desired to be ready with the objections they have to make to his lordship’s report, at the next meeting, which is appointed for to-morrow at three in the afternoon.

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XXXV.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Thursday 21st of October, 1680, PRESENT,

Prince Rupert, Lord President Marquis of Worcester,

Earl of Bridgewater, Mr. Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chief Justice North, Visc. Fauconberg, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

THE lords, being met to consider the business of Jamaica, order the proclamation published in my Lord Windsor’s time to be read : and thereupon their lordships express their opinion, that his majesty did thereby assure and fettle the property of the inhabitants, but not the government and form: thence these questions did arise ; viz. ist. Whether, upon the consideration of the commission and instructions to Colonel D’Oyley, and Sir Charles Lyttelton, and the constitution of the island thereupon, the acts of council made by Colonel D’Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttelton were perpetual laws, binding to the inhabitants of the island ?

2d. Whether, supposing those laws good and perpetual, any of the subsequent laws, or the proclamation in my Lord Windsor's time, have taken away the force of these laws ?

And because the gentlemen of Jamaica made divers objections against the validity of those laws, as being made by the governors and council without an assembly, and against the perpetuity of them, as being repealed by subsequent laws ; their lordships do therefore think it most conducing to his majesty’s service, that Colonel Long, Major Beeston, and Mr. Ashurst, do attend my Lord Chief Justice North, in order to explain to his lordship what is chiefly expected by them, whereby they may be induced to fettle the revenue for the support of the government, to the end matters may be brought to an accommodation.

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XXXVI

APPENDIX.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, Wednesday the 27th of October, 1680, PRESENT

Lord Privy-Seal, Earl of Bridgewater, Lord Chamberlain,

Earl of Bath, Earl of Halifax,

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.

MY Lord Chief Justice North reports, that he has been attended by the gentlemen of Jamaica, who have declared themselves willing to grant the king a perpetual bill for the payment of the governors, and another bill for the payment of contingencies to continue for seven years, provided they may be restored to their ancient form of passing laws, and may be assured of such of the laws of England as may concern their liberty and property.

Their lordships taking notice, that the revenue of Jamaica will expire in March next, direct a letter to be prepared, for the approbation of the council, empowering Sir Henry Morgan to call an assembly, and to endeavour the passing a temporary bill, with their consent, for the revenue ; and, in case of their refufal, to raise the fame in such manner as hath been done by former governors. instant, a draught Memorandum, At a council on the of the aforementioned letter was read.

And upon reading the petition of the planters, merchants and inhabitants of Jamaica, praying to be restored to their ancient method of making laws, the lords of the committee are ordered to meet de die in diem, until they shall have agreed on such a method for the making of laws, and the settlement of the government, as they shall find most convenient for his majesty’s service, S s 2

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XXXVII.

JAMAICA.

At the committee of trade and plantations, in the councilchamber at Whitehall, on Thursday the 28th of October, 1680, PRESENT

Prince Rupert, Lord Privy-Seal, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Bridgewater, Earl of Sunderland,

Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Effex, Earl of Halifax, Viscount Fauconberg,

Bishop of London, Mr. Hyde, Lord Chief Justice North, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

THEIR lordships having considered that part of the letter from the council of Jamaica, dated 20th May last, that concerns the laws, and having read the petition of the merchants and planters of Jamaica, presented in council on the as also a paper prepared by Mr. Blackwayt, concerning the manner of making laws in Jamaica, their lordships, upon full confideration and debate of what may best conduce to his majesty’s service, agree, that the present method of making laws, in Barbadoes, as settled by the commission of Sir Richard Dutton, be proposed unto his majesty in council : and that powers be drawn up for the Earl of Carlisle, with instructions suitable to that scheme, and with respect to the present circumstances of Jamaica, and that the assembly may be the more easily induced to grant a revenue for the support of the government, their lordships are of opinion, that his majesty’s quit-rents, and the tax on the wine-licences, as well as all other levies which now are or shall be made, be appropriated to the support of the government, and to no other use whatfoever.

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XXXVIII.

JAMAICA.

At a committee of trade and plantations, in the council- APPENchamber at Whitehall, on Saturday the 30th of October, DIX. 1680, PRESENT, Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Bridgewater,

Earl of Sunderland, Earl of Clarendon, Earl of Essex,

Viscount Fauconberg, Earl of Halifax, Mr. Secretary Jenkins.

COLONEL Long and the other gentlemen of Jamaica attend, and are acquainted with the resolutions of the committee to report to his majesty, that they may enjoy the same method of making laws as is now appointed for Barbadoes ; with which the gentlemen express themselves very well satisfied.

NUMBER

XXXIX.

Copy of powers to the Earl of Carlisle for making laws.

Charles the Second, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin Charles Earl of Carlisle, our captain-general and governor in chief in and over our island of Jamaica, and other the territories depending thereon ; and to our deputy-governor and commander in chief of our said island ; and, in case of their death or absence, to our council of Jamaica.

WHEREAS, by our royal commission bearing date the first of March, in the thirtieth year of our reign, we having thought fit to consti1 tute,

HISTORY

318

OF

THE

BOOK tute and appoint you, Charles Earl of Carlisle, captain-general and governor in chief in and over our island of Jamaica, and the territories II.

depending thereon, thereby commanding and requiring you, or in your absence our deputy-governor, or our council, to do and execute all things belonging to the said command, and the trust reposed in you, according to the several powers or directions granted or appointed you by the said commission and the instructions therewith given yon, or by further powers and instructions to be granted or appointed you under our signet and sign manual, as by our said commission (reference being thereunto had) doth more at large appear : and whereas it is necessary that good and wholesome laws and ordinances be settled and established for the government and support of our island of Jamaica : we do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority, with the advice and consent of the said council, from time to time, as need shall require, to summon or call general assemblies of the freeholders and planters within the said island, in manner and form as is now practised in Jamaica. And our will and pleasure is, that the persons thereupon duly elected by the major part of the freeholders of the respective parishes and places, and so returned (having, before their sitting, taken the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, which you shall commissionate fit persons, under the publick feal of that island, to administer, and without taking which none shall be capable of sitting, though elected) shall be called and held the general assembly of our island of Jamaica ; and that they, or the major part of them, shall have full power and authority, with the advice and consent of yourself and of the council, to make, constitute, and ordain laws, statutes, and ordinances, for the publick peace, welfare, and good government of the said island, and of the people and inhabitants thereof, and such other as shall resort thereto, and for the benefit of our heirs and successors ; which said laws, statutes, and ordinances, are to be (as near as conveniently may be) agreeable to the laws and statutes of our kingdom of England : provided, that all such laws, statutes, and ordinances, of what nature or duration whatsoever, be, within three months, or by the first conveyance after the making the same, transmitted unto us under the publick seal, for our allowance and approbation of them, as also duplicates thereof by the next conveyance : and in case all or any of them (being not before confirmed by us) shall at any time be disallowed and not approved, and so signified by us, our heirs or successors, under our or their sign manual 2

or

WEST

INDIES.

319

or signet, or by order of our or their privy-council, unto you, the said APPENEarl of Carlisle, or to the commander in chief of our said island for the DIX. time being, then such or fo many of them as shall be so disallowed and not approved shall from thenceforth cease, determine, and be utterly void and of none effect, any thing to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And, to the end nothing may be passed or done in our said island by the said council or assembly to the prejudice of us, our heirs or successors, we will and ordain that you, the said Charles Earl of Carlisle, shall have and enjoy a negative voice in the making or passing of all laws, statutes, and ordinances, as aforesaid ; and that you shall and may likewise, from time to time, as you shall judge it necessary, dissolve all general assemblies, as aforesaid ; any thing in our commission bearing date as aforesaid to the contrary hereof notwithstanding. And our will and pleasure is, that, in case of your death or absence from our said island,. our deputy-governor for the time being exercise and enjoy all and singular the powers and authorities hereby granted unto you, or intended to be granted you, the laid Charles Earl of Carlisle ; and in case he likewise happen to die, or be absent from our said island, we do hereby authorize and empower our council of Jamaica to execute the powers hereby given you, until we shall declare our further pleasure therein.

Given at cur court at Whitehall, this 3d Day of November, in the thirty-second year of our reign.

THE

Stap of the ISLAND of BARBADOES

;

for the History of the WEST INDIES,

by Bryan Edwards Esq . r

N. B.

Plantations or Sugar-works of greater note are expressed as (o Seawell) and Plantations or Sugar-works of less note are expressed as (o Charnock).

Published by John Stockdale, Piccadilly Octr. 6. 1794.

Gallen.

THE HISTORY,

CIVIL

AND

COMMERCIAL, OF

The British Colonies in the West Indies.

BOOK

III.

ENGLISH CHARAIBEAN ISLANDS.

CHAP.

I.

BARBADOES.

First Arrival of the English at this Island.—Origin, progress, and termination of the Proprietary Government.—Revenue granted to the Crown of 4 ½ per centum on all Produce exported—how obtained.—Origin of the Act of Navigation.—Situation and Extent of the Island.—Soil and Produce.—Population.—Decline, and Causes thereof.—Exports and Imports.

T

HE Island of Barbadoes, of which I now propose to treat, was probably first discovered by the Portuguese in their voyages from Brasil ; and from them it received the name which it still retains (a). It was found without occupants or (a) It is said not to have been noticed in any sea-chart before the year 1600.

VOL. I.

T t

claimants.

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

322

BOOK III.

OF

THE

claimants. The Charaibes, for reasons altogether unknown to us, had deserted it, and the Portuguese, satisfied with the splendid regions they had acquired on the Continent, seem to have considered it as of little value. Having furnished it with a breed of swine for the benefit of such of their countrymen as might navigate the same tract, they left the island in all other respects as they found it. the English, the first who are known to have landed in this island, were the crew of a ship called the Olive Blossom, bound from London to Surinam, in 1605, and fitted out at the expence of Sir Olive Leigh, whom Purchas stiles ‘ a worship‘ ful knight of Kent.’ Finding it without inhabitants, they took possession of the country, by fixing up a crofs on the spot where James-Town was afterwards built, with this inscription, but they began, “ James King of England and this island no settlement, nor made any considerable stay in a country entirely uninhabited and overgrown with woods; yet it furnished them with fresh provisions. They found pigs, pigeons, and parrots, and the sea abounded with fish.

OF

years after this, a ship of Sir William Courteen’s, a merchant of London, returning from Brasil, was driven by stress of weather into this island, and finding refreshments on it, the master and seamen, on their arrival in England, made so favourable a report of the beauty and fertility of the country, that Lord Ley (afterwards Earl of Marlborough, and Lord High Treasurer) immediately obtained from King James the First a grant of the island to himself and his heirs in perpetuity.

SOME

COURTEEN

WEST

INDIES.

himself was a man of extensive views and magnificent projects. He immediately began (probably under the patronage of Marlborough) to form ideas of establishing a colony in the distant but promising territory. Having engaged about thirty persons, who undertook to settle in the island, and furnished them with tools, provisions, and necessaries of all kinds for planting and fortifying the island, he appointed William Deane their governor, and sent them away in a ship called the William and John, commanded by John Powell.

They arrived safe in the latter end of the year 1624, and laid the foundations of a town, which, in honour of the fovereign, they denominated JAMES-TOWN ; and thus began the first English settlement in the Island of Barbadoes.

COURTEEN

some time previous to this, it had become fashionable for men of high rank and distinction to engage in sea adventures, proclaiming themselves the patrons of colonization and foreign commerce. In the lists of those who contributed to the British settlements in Virginia, New England, the Bermuda Islands, and other places in the New World, may be found the names of many of the first nobility and gentry of the kingdom. Among others who distinguished themselves in such pursuits, at the time that Barbadoes was 'thus planted by a private merchant, was James Hay, Earl of Carlisle. This nobleman was at that juncture engaged in the establishment of a colony in the island of St. Christopher (as we shall hereafter have occasion more particularly to relate) and, either not knowing of the Earl of Marlborough’s patent, or conceiving T t 2 that FOR

323 CHAP. I.

324

BOOK

III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

that it interfered with his own pretensions (b), he applied for and obtained, in the first year of Charles I. a warrant for a grant, by letters patent under the great seal of England, of all the Charaibean Islands, including also Barbadoes; but when the grant came to be actually palled, the Earl of Marlborough opposed it, on the ground of priority of right. The dispute between these noble lords continued for a considerable time ; at length the contending parties thought it prudent to compromise the matter, and, on the Earl of Carlisle’s undertaking to pay the annual sum of £. 300 to the Earl of Marlborough and his heirs for ever, Marlborough waved his patent, and, in consequence of this arrangement, on the 2d of June 1627, the Earl of Carlisle’s patent palled the great seal, who thereupon became sole proprietor (c).

DURING

(b) It is said that he had obtained from James I. a grant, or warrant for a grant, under the great seal, of all the Charaibean Islands, which the king erected into a province by the name of Carliola, on the model of the palatinate of Durham. (c) Among other clauses in this grant are the following. “ Further know ye, that we, for us our heirs and successors, have authorized and appointed the said James Earl of Carlisle, and his heirs (of whose fidelity, prudence, justice, and wisdom, we have great confidence) for the good and happy government of the ibid province, whether for the publick security of the said province or the private utility of every man, to make, erect, and set forth, and under his or their signet to publish, such laws as he the said Earl of Carlisle, or his heirs, with the consent, assent, and approbation of the free inhabitants of the said province, or the greater part of them, thereunto to be called, and in such form as he or they in his or their discretion shall think fit and best. And these laws must all men for the time be ing, that do live within the limits of the said province, observe ; whether they be bound to sea, or from thence returning to England, or any other our dominions, or any other place appointed, upon such impositions, penalties, imprifon-

ment.

WEST

INDIES.

325

this contest about the disposal of countries, most CHAP. I. of which were at that time in the hands of their proper owners, the Charaibes ; the man, who alone had the merit of anDURING

ment, or restraint that it behoveth, and the quality of the offence requireth, either upon the body, or death itself, to be executed by the said James Earl of Carlisle, and by his heirs, or by his or their deputy, judges, justices, magistrates, officers, and ministers, according to the tenor and true meaning of these presents, in what cause soever, and with such power as to him the said James Earl of Carlisle, or his heir, shall seem best; and to dispose of offences or riots whatsoever, either by sea or land, whether before judgment received, or after remitted, freed, pardoned, or forgiven; and to do and to perform all and every thing and things, which to the fulfilling of justice, courts or manner of proceeding in their tribunal, may or doth belong or appertain, although express mention of them in these presents be not made, yet we have granted full power by virtue of these presents therein to be made ; which laws so absolutely proclaimed, and by strength of right supported as they are granted, we will, enjoin, charge, and command all and every subject and liege people of us, our heirs and successors, so far as them they do concern, inviolably to keep and observe, under the pains therein expressed; so as notwithstanding the aforesaid law's be agreeable and not repugnant unto reason, nor against it; but as convenient and agreeable as may be to the laws, statutes, customs, and rights of our kingdom of England ”—“ We will also, of our princely grace, for us, our heirs and successors, straightly charge, make, and ordain, that the said province be of our allegiance, and that all and every subject and liege people of us, our heirs and successors, brought or to be brought, and their children, whether there born or afterwards to be born, become natives and subjects of us, our heirs and successors, and be as free as they that were born in England ; and so their inheritance within our kingdom of England, or other our dominions, to seek, receive, take, hold, buy, and possess, and use and enjoy them as his own, and to give, fell, alter, and bequeath them at their pleasure; and also freely, quietly, and peaceably to have and possess all the liberties, franchises, and privileges of this kingdom, and them to use and enjoy as liege people of England., whether born, or to be born, without impediment, molestation, vexation, injury ordinance, or proviso, or trouble of us our heirs and successors, any statute, to the contrary notwithstanding.”

nexing

HISTORY

326 BOOK III.

OF

THE

nexing the plantation of Barbadoes to the crown of England seems to have been shamesully neglected. The Earl of Marlborough, having secured to himself and his posterity, the gratification I have mentioned, deserted him; and the Lord Carlisle, having done him premeditated injury, became his irreconcileable enemy. Courteen, however, found a friend in William Earl of Pembroke, who represented his cafe in such a light to the King, as to obtain a revocation of Carlisle’s patent, and a grant to himself in trust for Courteen. the hopes of this worthy citizen were of short continuance. The Earl of Carlisle was, at that juncture, absent from the kingdom, a circumstance which gave some colour to his charge of injustice and precipitancy in the proceeding.

On his return to England, he complained that he had been condemned and deprived of his property unheard; and the monarch on the throne, who seems, through the whole of his unfortunate reign, rather to have wanted resolution to pursue the right path, than sagacity to discern it, trod back his ground a second time ; for, unable to resist the clamorous importunity of a worthless favourite, he actually annulled the grant to the Earl of Pembroke, and, by second letters patent to the Earl of Carlisle, again restored to him the privileges of which he had himself, a short time before, deprived him.

BUT

by an ad of power, which its repugnancy and absurdity alone, rendered illegal, the Earl of Carlisle again found himself lord paramount of Barbadoes ; and in order completely to ruin all the interests in the colony of his competitor, he proTHUS

9

ceeded

WEST

INDIES.

327

ceeded to distribute the lands to such persons as chose to receive grants at his hands on the terms proposed to them. A society of London merchants (d). accepted ten thousand acres, on conditions which promised great advantage to the proprietor but they were allowed the liberty of sending out a person to preside over their concerns in the colony, and they made choice for this purpose of Charles Woolferstone, who repaired to the island, accompanied with sixty-four persons, each of whom was authorized to take up 100 acres of land.

THESE people landed on the 5th of July, 1628, at which time Courteen’s settlement was in a very promising condition; but Woolferstone declared it an incroachment and usurpation, and, being supported by the arrival of Sir William Tufton, who was sent out as chief governor by Lord Carlisle, in 1629, with a force sufficient for the maintenance of his pretensions, he compelled the friends of Courteen to submit; and the interests of the latter were thenceforth swallowed up and forgotten (e).

THE facts which I have thus recited have been related so often by others, that an apology might be necessary for their insertion in this work, were it not, that by comparing one account with another, I have been enabled to correct some im(d) The names of those merchants were Marmaduke Brandon, William Perkin, Alexander Banister, Robert Wheatley, Edmond Forster, Robert Swinnerton, Henry Wheatly, John Charles, and John Farringdon. (e) In this year, Sir William Tuston gave 140 grants of land, comprizing in the whole 15,872 acres, and on the 23d of February, 1630, he passed divers laws, and among others, one for dividing the island into six parishes.

portant

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

328

OF

THE

BOOK portant errors in each. And the claim of the Earl of Carlisle III. having originally introduced and established the very heavy internal imposition on their gross produce, to which the planters of this, and some of the neighbouring islands, are to this day liable; I have thought it necessary to be particular and minute, in tracing the claim itself from the beginning. In what manner it produced the burthen in question, and how Barbadoes reverted from a proprietary to a royal government, I shall now proceed to relate. administration of Sir William Tufton, the first governor appointed by Lord Carlisle, proving disagreeable to his lordship, Captain Henry Hawley was sent over in 1631 to supersede him. Tufton relenting this measure, procured the signatures of some of the planters to a petition complaining of Hawley’s conduct. Hawley construed this petition into an act of mutiny on the part of Tufton, for which he had him tried and condemned by a court-martial, and with very little ceremony caused him to be shot to death ; a proceeding universally exclaimed against as a most horrid and atrocious murder. Hawley, however, though recalled on this account, not only escaped punishment through the interest of his noble patron, but was soon afterwards sent back again as chief governor; in which capacity he remained till 1638, when he was driven from the country by the united voice of all the inhabitants; who however permitted his brother, William Hawley, to act as commander in chief until a governor should be nominated at home. He was succeeded by Major Hunckes, who, leaving the island in 1641, appointed Philip Bell, Esquire, his deputy, and THE

WEST

INDIES.

329

and Bell, in 1645, was appointed chief governor (f). Bat the conduct of Hawley, thus violent and bloody, and the support which he received from the proprietor, had alienated the minds of the new settlers from power thus delegated and abused; and the proprietor’s authority lost ground every day. In the mean time, the civil war in England caused many people, of peaceable tempers and dispositions, to take refuge in this island; and the (f) During the administration of this gentleman, many salutary laws were passed ; among others the following : Ist. « An Act for the continuance and observation of all acts and statutes not repealed ; " which Act recites that there were divers and sundry good and wholesome laws, statutes, and ordinances provided, enacted, and made, assigned, and agreed upon, by and with the assent, content, and approbation of the governor, council, and freeholders out of every parish of the island, intituled, A General Assembly for that purpose elected, made, and chosen. And it is thereby enabled, that none of those laws shall be altered, or any thing added to them, without the content of a like General Assembly. And that every parish should have two representatives at least, to be elected by the freeholders.

2d. “ An addition to an Act intituled, " An Act for settling the estates and titles of the inhabitants of this island to their possessions in their several plantations within the same :” it is therein recited, that in a clause in the first act it is ordained, that all the inhabitants of this island, that were in quiet possession of any lands or tenements by virtue of any warrant from any former governor, or by conveyance or other act in law, from them who had the fame warrant, should have, hold, and enjoy the fame, as their free estate : and, as some scruples had since arisen, whether an estate for life or inheritance might be construed from the fame, for want of the words their heirs; to the intent the same might be more fully explained, and all disputes of that kind for the future abolished, it is enacted, that by the words as their free estates, was meant, the whole estate and inheritance of the respective plantations within this island, so that by such possession in manner as by the said act is expressed, the said inhabitants are thereby adjudged and declared to have and to hold their lands of right to them, to dispose of or alienate, or otherwise to descend, or be confirmed to their heirs for ever.”

VOL. I.

U u

consequent

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

330 BOOK III.

OF

THE

consequent ruin of the King’s affairs induced a still greater number, many of whom had been officers of rank in his service, to follow their example. The emigration from the mother-country to this island was indeed so great during the commotions in England, that in 1650 it was computed there were 20,000 white men in Barbadoes, half of them able to bear arms, and furnishing even a regiment of horse to the number of one thousand. adventurers,” says Lord Clarendon, “ planted without any body’s leave, and without being opposed or contradicted by any body.” The cafe seems to have been, that the governor for the time being granted lands to all who applied, on receiving a gratuity for himself; and the claim of the proprietor, whether disputed in the island, or disregarded amidst the confusions at home, was at length, tacitly and silently relinquished (g). "

THESE

colony, left to its own efforts, and enjoying an unlimited freedom of trade, flourished beyond example. In the year 1646, however, the then Earl of Carlisle, who was son and heir of the patentee, stimulated by the renown of its wealth and prosperity, began to revive his claims as hereditary proprietor ; and, entering into a treaty with Lord Willoughby of Parham, conveyed to that nobleman all his rights by lease for twenty-one years, on condition of receiving one half the THE

(g) Lord Carlisle had originally stipulated for an annual tribute of forty pounds of cotton wool from each person who held lands under his grant.

§

profits

WEST

INDIES.

331

profits in the meantime ; but justly apprehending that the resident planters might dispute his pretensions, he very readily concurred with Lord Willoughby in soliciting a commission for the latter, as chief governor, under the sanction of regal authority (h). though an absolute dereliction of the proprietary ship, was asked and obtained ; and the Lord Willoughby, thus commissioned, embarked for his government; and, in consideration of the royal appointment, was received by the inhabitants, who were warmly attached to the King’s interest, with respect and obedience. It seems probable, that, at his first coming, he said nothing of his lease from Carlisle ; trusting rather to future management for the re-establishment of that lord’s pretensions, than to an open avowal of them on his arrival. We are told, however, by Clarendon, that he obtained from the planters a promise of a contribution to the proprietor; but before it was carried into effect, the regal authority was abolished in England, and Barbadoes reduced to the obedience of the new republick, by whom another governor was appointed.

THIS,

the restoration of Charles II. and the re-establishment of the royal authority over all the British dominions ( i), Lord Willoughby, ON

(h) When this application was made, the King was in the hands of the parliament ; the commission therefore, with his Majesty’s privity and approbation, was signed by the Prince of Wales, at that time in Holland. ((i) On the 18th of February, 1661, his Majesty honoured thirteen gentlemen of Barbadoes with the dignity of baronetage, in consideration of their loyalty and suffenngs during the civil war : They were, Sir John Colleton, Sir James Modi-

Uu 2

ford,

CHAP. I.

332 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

Willoughby, who had eight or nine years of his lease unexpired, applied to the King for leave to return to his government of Barbadoes. To this application no objection would have been made by the inhabitants, if his lordship had considered himself merely as representative of the crown; hut his connection and contract with the Earl of Carlisle, were by this time sufficiently understood by the planters, who saw with astonishment that they were regarded by thofe great lords as mere tenants at will of their possessions. They solicited therefore the King’s support and protection. “ They pleaded,” fays Clarendon, " that they were the King’s subjects; that they had repaired to Barbadoes as to a defolate place, and had by their industry obtained a livelihood there, when they could not with a good conscience stay in England; that if they should now be left to those lords to ransom themselves and compound for their estates, they must leave the country, and the plantation be destroyed, which yielded his Majesty so great a revenue.” Respecting the charter granted to the Earl of Carlisle, they insisted positively that it was void in law; and they made two humble propositions to the King, either that his Majesty would give them leave to institute in his name, but at their own cold, a process in the Exchequer for trying the validity of the earl’s patent; or that he would leave those who claimed under it (for the second Earl of Carlisle dying in the interim, had bequeathed his rights in the West Indies to the Earl of Kinnoul) to their legal remedy, absolutely denying that either the late or ford, Sir James Drax, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Robert Hacket, Sir John Yeamans, Sir Timothy Thornhill, Sir John Witham, Sir Robert Legard, Sir John Worsum, Sir John Rawdon, Sir Edwyn Stede, Sir Willoughby Chamberlayne.

1

former

WEST

INDIES.

333

former Lord Carlisle had sustained the smallest expence in settling the colony. of consenting to either of those most reasonable propositions, the King ordered enquiry to be made into the several allegations and claims of the parties concerned, by a committee of the privy-council; before whom some of the planters being heard, one of them, in order more readily to induce the King to take the sovereignty of the island into his own hands, offered, in the name of the inhabitants, to consent, in that cafe, to lay an imposition of so much in the hundred on the produce of their estates, out of which his Majesty’s governor might be honourably supported, and the King dispose of the overplus as he should think fit. To a monarch of Charles’s disposition, this was too tempting a proportion to be resisted.

We are informed that his Majesty received the offer very graciously, “ and the next care of the committee,” adds the noble historian, who was himself of that body, “ was to make some computation, that might be depended upon, as to the yearly revenue, that would arise upon the imposition within the island.”

But the planters, when called up the next day to give satisfaction in this particular, insisted that Mr. Kendall, the person who had made the offer, had no authority to undertake for them, or the inhabitants within the island ; and the utmost they could be brought to promise for themselves was, that they Would use their endeavours with their friends in the island, to fettle such a revenue on the crown as the circumstances of the colony would admit of, which they said the assembly alone was INSTEAD

competent to determine.

THE

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

334 BOOK III.

OF

THE

prospect of a revenue, though distant and uncertain, brought forward the creditors of the Earl of Carlisle, the patentee, who was indebted, it seems, at his death, in the sum of £.80,000, and they had no hopes of being paid but from the profits of his West Indian possessions. The heirs of the Earl of Marlborough likewise put in their claim for the arrearage of the annuity of £. 300, granted under the original compromise which I have before mentioned; and the Lord Willoughby insisted at the same time on receiving a moiety of whatever profits might arise during the remainder of the term yet unexpired in his lease. The other moiety, during that time, and the whole in reversion, was claimed by the Earl of Kinnoul.

THE

To satisfy these several claimants, and secure a perpetual revenue to the crown, was a work of difficulty, and its accomplishment seems to have been the sole aim of the King’s ministers by whom, after a tedious but partial investigation (considering the colony as wholly at the King’s mercy) it was finally ordered, that the Lord Willoughby should immediately repair to his government, and insist on the grant and establishment by the assembly of a permanent and irrevocable revenue of four and a half per cent, to be paid in specie, on all dead commodities, the growth of the island, shipped to any port of the world; the money arising therefrom to be applied as follows: towards an honourable and immediate provision for the Earl of Kinnoul, who, it was alledged, had sacrificed his fortune in the King’s service, and who covenanted, on such provision FIRST,

WEST

INDIES.

335

provision being secured to him, to surrender the Carlisle patent. CHAP. I. to the crown.

SECONDLY, towards satisfaction and full discharge of the Earl of Marlborough's annuity.

it was stipulated that the surplus should be divided equally between the creditors of the Earl of Carlisle and the Lord Willoughby, during the term yet unexpired of his lordship's lease. On the expiration thereof, the remainder, after providing £. 1,200 per annum for the King’s governor for the time being, was ordered to be paid among the said creditors till their demands were fully satisfied and discharged.

THIRDLY,

on the extinction of those several incumbrances, it was stipulated that the whole revenue, subject to the charge of £. 1,200 per annum to the governor, should be at the dispotal of the crown.

FOURTHLY,

these terms it was understood that the proprietary government was to be dissolved, and that the planters were to consider themselves as legally confirmed in possession of their estates; and to carry into effect the important point, on which the whole arrangement depended (the grant of a perpetual revenue by the assembly) the Lord Willoughby returned to his government in 1663.

ON

is not wonderful that the planters, on his lordship’s arrival, though devoted to the interests of the crown, should have loudly IT

HISTORY

336 BOOK

III.

OF

THE

loudly murmured at the conduct and determination of the British government in the progress and conclusion of the whole business. Clarendon himself confesses, that the grant to Carlisle was, voidable by law. The King therefore laid them under no great obligation in obtaining a surrender of it. Many of the planters had been obliged to quit their native country in consequence of the exertions in support of the royal cause during the civil war : by the late settlement they perceived a regard expressed towards every interest concerned but their own; and the return which they met with, both for their former services, and also for augmenting the trade, revenue, and dominion of the parent state by their recent labours, was a demand of a contribution, which they stated would amount to ten per cent. on the clear profits of their estates for ever. their complaints, though well founded, were unavailing. The king and his governor were too deeply interested to recede. The assembly was called upon to forge chains for themselves and their children; and, if persuasion should fail, force was not only at hand, but was actually employed to compel them to submission. Colonel Farmer, who led the party in opposition, was arrested and sent prisoner to England, on a charge of mutiny and treason, nor was he releafed till after a tedious and severe confinement. Awed by this example, and sensible that no support could be expected from the people at home, whose privileges lay prostrate at the feet of the restored monarch, the assembly passed an act for the purposes required of BUT

WEST

INDIES.

337

of them ; and their posterity still bear, and it is apprehended will long continue to bear, the burthen of it (k) !

THE (k) I have thought it may be satisfactory to the reader to have an opportunity of perusing the Act at large, which I therefore subjoin, prernising, that the clause which exempts the lands called the 10,000 acres, and also that which stipulates for the building a sessions-house, and a prison, and providing for all other publick charges incumbent on the government, out of the monies to be raised by the Act, have been equally disregarded by the crown. The session-house and prison were not finished until the year 1730, and the expence (upwards of £. 5,000) was then defrayed by a special tax on the inhabitants ; and there was raised by other taxes no less a sum than £. 19,440. 15. 4d. in three years (viz. from 1745 to 1748) for the repair of the fortifications.

An ACT for settling the Impost on the Commodities of the Growth of this Island ; passed the 12 th of September, 1663.—N° 36.

WHEREAS our late Sovereign Lord Charles the First, of blessed memory, did, by his letters patent under the great seal of England, grant and convey unto James Earl of Carlisle and his heirs for ever, the propriety of this island of Barbadoes: And his sacred Majesty that now is having by purchase invested himself in all the rights of the said Earl of Carlisle, and in all other rights which any other person may claim from that patent, or any other j and thereby, more immediately and particularly, hath taken this island into his royal protection. And his most excellent Majesty having, by letters patent under the great seal of England, bearing date the twelfth of June, in the fifteenth year of his reign, appointed his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, captain-general and chief governor of Barbadoes, and all the Caribbee Islands, with full power and authority to grant, confirm, and allure to the inhabitants of the fame, and their heirs, for ever, all lands, tenements, and hereditaments under his Majesty’s great seal appointed for Barbadoes and the reft of the Caribbee Island, as, relation being thereunto had, may and doth more at large appear. And whereas, by virtue of the said Earl of Carlisle’s patent, divers governors and agents have been sent over hither, with authority to lay out, set, grant, or convey in parcels the lands within this island, VOL.

I.

Xx

to

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

338 BOOK III.

OF

THE

conduct of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon in this affair, who indeed appears to have been the person chiefly consulted THE

to such persons as they should think fit: which was by them, in their respective times, as much as in them lay, accordingly performed. And whereas many have not their grants, warrants, and other evidences for their said lands, and others, by reason of the ignorances of those, want sufficient and legal words to create inheritances in them and their heirs, and others that never recorded their grants, or warrants, and others that can make no proof of any grants or warrants they ever had for their lands; and yet have been long and quiet possessors of the fame, and bellowed great charges thereon. And whereas the acknowledgment of forty pounds of cotton per head, and other taxes and compositions formerly raised to the Earl of Carlisle, was held very heavy: For a full remedy thereof for all the defects afore-related, and quieting the possessions and settling the tenures of the inhabitants of this island ; Be it enacted by his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, &c. his council, and gentlemen of the assembly, and by the authority of the fame, that, notwithstanding the defects afore-related, all the now rightful possessors of lands, tenements, and hereditaments within this island, according to the laws and customs thereof, may at all times repair unto his Excellency for the full confirmation of their estates and tenures, and then and there shall and may receive such full confirmation and assurance, under his Majesty’s great seal for this island, as 'they can reasonably advise or defire, according to the true intent and meaning of this Act. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all and every the payments of forty pounds of cotton per head, and all other duties, rents, and arrears of rent which have or might have been levied, be from henceforth absolutely and fully releafed and made void; and that the inhabitants of this island hare and hold their several plantations to them and their heirs for ever, in free and common soccage, yielding and paying therefore, at the feast of St. Michael, every year, if the fame be lawfully demanded, one ear of Indian corn to his Majesty, his heirs and successors, for ever, in full and free discharge of all rents and services for the future whatsoever, in consideration of the release of the laid forty pounds, and in consideration of the confirmation of all estates in this island as aforesaid, and in acknowledgment of his Majesty’s grace and favourin sending to and appointing over his said Excellency, of whose prudence and moderate government we have heretofore ;

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sulted in it, was afterwards thought so justly reprehensible, as to give occasion to the eighth article of his impeachment by the tofore had large experience, and do reft most allured thereof for the future. And, forasmuch as nothing conduceth more to the peace and prosperity of any place, and the protection of every single person therein, than that the publick revenue thereof may be in some measure proportioned to the publick charges and expences; and also well weighing the great charges that there must be of necessity in maintaining the honour and dignity of his Majesty’s authority here ; the publick meeting of the sessions, the often attendance of the council, the reparation of the forts, the building a sessions-house and a prison, and all other publick charges incumbent on the government ; do, in consideration thereof, give and grant unto his Majesty, his heirs and successors for ever, and do most humbly de/ire your Excellency to accept these our grants ; and we humbly pray your Excellency that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, captain-general and chief governor of this island of Barbadoes, and all other the Caribbee Islands, and by and with the consent of the council and the gentlemen of the assembly, representatives of this island, and by authority of the fame, That an impost or custom be, from and after publication hereof, raised upon the native commodities of this island, after the proportions, and in manner and form as is hereafter set down and appointed; that is to fay, upon all dead commodities of the growth or produce of this island, that {hall be shipped off the fame, (hall be paid to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and successors for ever, four and a half in specie for every five score.

And be it further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid, That if any goods before-mentioned, on which the said custom is imposed, and due, by this act, shall at any time hereafter be shipped or put into any boat or other vessel, to the intent to be carried into any parts beyond the seas, the said imposition due for the fame not paid, compounded for, or lawfully tendered to the collectors or their deputies, or not having agreed with the commissioners for that purpose to be appointed, or their deputies for the fame, according to the true intent and meaning of the said act, that then, and from thenceforth, shall the said goods be forfeit, the moiety thereof to be to our Sovereign Lord the King, and the other to him that (hall inform, seize, and sue for the same in any court of record within this island ; which X x 2 grants

339 CHAP. I.

340 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

the House of Commons in the year 1667. From his answer to that article, I have collected (chiefly in his own words) great part grants are left to your Excellency’s own way of levying, in full confidence and assurance that your Excellency will take such course for the collecting and gathering of the said impost, without any charge, duty or fees, as may be most for the ease of the people of this island.

Provided nevertheless, that neither this act, nor any thing therein contained, shall extend or be construed to bar his Majesty, or his said Excellency, from his or their right to any land granted, or any incroachments made upon the sea, since the year one thousand six hundred and fifty, or to any lands commonly called or known by the name of The Ten Thousand Acres; the merchants land, granted by the late Earl of Carlisle, or his father, unto Marmaduke Rawden, Esquire, William Perkins, Alexander Bannister, Edmund Forster, Captain Wheatley, and others their associates, on certain covenants and conditions : Provided also, that the growth and produce of the said lands, mentioned in the preceding proviso, be not liable to any tax, impost, or custom, imposed by this all y any thing in the fame seeming to the contrary notwith standing.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That one act made the seventeenth day of January one thousand six hundred and fifty, intituled, An act importing the customs imposed and granted by the council, and gentlemen of the assembly, to the Right Honourable Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, Lord Lieutenant-General of the Province of Carolina, and Governor of Barbadoes ; as also, his Lordship’s confirmation of the right of the inhabitants of this island to their several estates, with the tenure and rent thereon created, be, and is from henceforth repealed, made void, frustrate, of none effect, to all intents, construc- tions, and purposes whatsoever.

In 1684, the assembly of this island proposed to farm the four and a half per cent, for eleven years, for the annual rent of £. 6,000 sterling, to be paid into the exchequer ; the governor and council concurred, and it was agreed that £, 7,000 currency per annum should be raised by a tax of twenty-one pence per acre, on all lands amounting to ten or more acres. The towns and traders to be taxed £. 500 sterling. An act passed March 19th 1684, for this purpose, and was sent home ; but the lords of the committee for trade and plantations reported, that the com-

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part of the account that I have given; and there cannot be a stronger demonstration of the tendency of power to pervert the judgment, and cloud the faculties of the wisest and worthiest of men, than the justification he has offered. He even claims great merit in not having advised the king to possess himself of the whole island of Barbadoes, without any regard to the planters or creditors concerned in the issue. prosecution of this great statesman, however, on this account, was of no advantage to the suffering planters ; for in this, as in many other cases, the redress of a grievance, and the punishment of its author, were objects of very distinct consideration. Those who fought the ruin of Clarendon, had nothing less in view than the removal of oppression, from subjects so remote as those of Barbadoes.

THE

thus tracing the origin, progress, and termination of the Proprietary Government in this island, I have purposely chosen not to break the thread of my narration, by recording any intermediate events of a nature foreign to that subject. Soon after the establishment of the Commonwealth in England, cirIN

commissioners of the customs with whom they had advised, were of opinion that they could make no estimate of the duty, until they had experienced the produce thereof, under the then management, for one year at least ; and that the commissioners appointed for managing the said duty in Barbadoes, had assured them the duty would be worth stom £. 8,000 to £.10,000 per annum. So the act was repealed.

This proposal to farm the four and a half per cent. duty, was made in consequence of Governor Dutton’s signifying to the council and assembly, on his arrival in 1680, that his majesty was inclined to commute the tax, for a reasonable recompence.

§

cumstances

CHAP. I.

HISTORY

342 BOOK

III.

OF

THE

cumstances however arose, respecting this colony, which have produced such effects on the general commerce of Great Britain, as cannot be overlooked in an historical and commercial survey of her West Indian plantations, and of which I shall now give some account.

THE reader has been sufficiently apprized of the attachment of the Barbadians to the regal government. One of the first acts passed by the assembly, after the arrival of the Lord Willoughby for the first time, (1647) was a declaration of their allegiance and fidelity to the unfortunate Charles the First, at that time a prisoner to the army ; and on the death of that monarch, the popular resentment against his persecutors ran so high in this island, that the few planters who were suspected to be in the interest of the parliament, thought it necessary to seek protection in England.

To punish such stubborn defenders of a ruined cause, the parliament resolved, in 1651, to fend a powerful armament for the reduction of all the English colonies in America and the Weft Indies ; but particularly Barbadoes, at that time the most important and hostile of them all. indeed, were the motives which instigated the parliament to this determination. From the beginning of the commotions in the mother-country, the planters, having no other means of conveying the produce of their lands to Europe, had employed in this necessary navigation, many of the Chips and seamen of Holland; and at this juncture the English government entertained very hostile intentions towards the subjects MANY,

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jects of that republick. The reduction of Barbadoes would at once punish the colonists, and enable the English parliament to deprive the English of so profitable an intercourse with them ; it would also enrich the treasury of the new government, by the confiscation of many valuable ships and cargoes in the harbours of that and the other islands. The parliament had reason likewise, it was said, to apprehend that Prince Rupert, with a squadron of the king’s ships, was about crossing the Atlantick, to secure all the English American possessions for.

Charles the Second. who commanded the parliament’s forces employed in this expedition, arrived at Barbadoes on the 16th of October 1651, and Succeeded at length in bringing the island to capitulate (l) : But this was not effected without great difficulty; for he met with so flout a resistance, as determined his employers at home immediately, to enforce a scheme they had projected a short time before, of altering the whole system of the Barbadian commerce; by prohibiting, by an act of the commonwealth, all foreign shipping from trading with the English plantations; and not permitting any goods to be imported into England, or any of its dependencies, in any other AYSCUE,

(I) Ayscue agreed, among other things, that the government should consist of a governor, council, and assembly, according to the ancient and usual custom of the island. The assembly to be chosen by a free and voluntary election of the freeholders of the island in the several parishes. That no taxes, customs, imposts, loans, or excise, should be laid, nor levy made on any of the inhabitants of this island, without their consent in a general assembly; and that all laws that had been made by general assemblies, not repugnant to the laws of England, should be good.

than

CHAP. I.

344 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

than English bottoms ; or in ships of that European nation of which the merchandize imported was the genuine growth and manufacture. And thus arose the famous navigation act of this kingdom ; for, immediately after the restoration, its provisions were adopted by Charles the Second, with this addition, that the master and three-fourths of the mariners, should also be English subjects. advantages the general commerce and navigation of England may have derived from this celebrated law, it must be allowed that its original framers were actuated by no better motives (as a great (m) writer hath observed) than those of punishing the planters, and clipping the wings of the Dutch. The inhabitants of Barbadoes, justly considering the law as a chastisement inflicted on them by the Commonwealth for their loyalty to Charles the Second, were filled with amazement and indignation, on finding its provisions adopted and confirmed on the restoration of that monarch. By the regulations of this act, and the establishment of the internal duty on their produce, of which I have so largely spoken, they thought themselves treated with a rigour which bordered on ingratitude, and they predicted the decline of their population, agriculture and wealth, from the effects of those measures. How far their predictions have been accomplished, a comparative date of the island at different periods will demonstrate; with which, and a few miscellaneous observations, I shall dismiss my present account.

WHATEVER

is situated in 13° 10' N. lat. and in longitude 59° W. from London. It is about twenty-one miles in length, BARBADOES

(m) Blackstone.

and

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and fourteen in breadth, and contains 106,470 acres of land, CHAP. I. most of which is under cultivation. The soil in the low lands is black, somewhat reddish in the shallow parts; on the hills of a chalky marl, and near the sea generally sandy. Of this variety of soil, the black mould is best suited for the cultivation of the cane, and, with the aid of manure, has given as great returns of sugar, in favourable seasons, as any in the West Indies, the prime lands of St. Kitt’s excepted. the soil of this island is, to a great degree, naturally fertile, we must necessarily admit, if we give credit to the accounts which are transmitted down to us, of its ancient population and opulence. We are assured that, about the year 1670, Barbadoes could boast of fifty thousand white, and upwards of one hundred thousand black inhabitants, whose labours, it is said, gave employment to sixty thousand tons of shipping (n). I suspect that this account is much exaggerated.

THAT

(n) The earliest planters of Barbadoes were sometimes reproached with the guilt of forcing or decoying into slavery the Indians of the neighbouring continent. The History of Inkle and Yarico, which the Spectator has recorded for the detestation of mankind, took its rise in this Island ; but happil y this species of slavery has been long since abolished : and perhaps such of my readers as have sympathized with the unfortunate Yarico, may not be sorry to hear that she bore her misfortunes with greater philosophy than they have hitherto fancied. The story was first related by Ligon, who (after praising poor Yarico’s excellent complexion, which, he says, was “ a bright bay ;” and her small breasts « with nipples of porphyrie”) observes, that “ she chanc’t afterwards to be with « child by a Christian servant, and being very great, walked down to a woode, in which was a pond of water, and there, by the side of the pond, brought “ herselfe a-bed, and in three hours came home with the child in her arms, a

VOL. I.

Y y

“ lusty

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rated. It cannot however be doubted, that the inhabitants of this island have decreased with a rapidity seldom known in any other country. I have now before me authentick returns of the number of its whites in 1724, and of its negroes in 1753 : the former consisted of no more than eighteen thousand two hundred and ninety-five, the latter of sixty-nine thousand eight hundred and seventy. In 1786 the numbers were sixteen thousand one hundred and sixty-seven whites, eight hundred and thirty-eight free people of colour, and sixty-two thousand one hundred and fifteen negroes. appears too that the annual produce of this island (particularly sugar) has decreased in a much greater proportion than in any other of the West Indian colonies. Postlethwayte states the crop of sugar, in 1736, at 22,769 hogsheads of 13 cwt. which is equal to 19,800 of 15 cwt. and the author of the European Settlements, published in 1761, calculates the average crop at 25,000 hogsheads. As the author first quoted, gives a precise number, it is probable his statement was grounded on good authority. If so, the island has fallen off nearly one-half in the annual growth of its principal staple. On an average of eight years (from 1740 to 1748) the exports were 13,948 hogsheads of sugar, of 15 cwt. 12,884 puncheons IT

“ lusty boy, frolicke and lively.” The crime of Inkle the merchant, however, admits of no palliation; but it is ridiculous enough to hear Abbe Raynal (willing to improve upon Addison) ascribe to it an intended revolt of all the Negroes in Barbadoes, who, as he afferts, moved by indignation at Inkle’s monstrous cruelty, vowed with one accord the destruction of all the Whites; but their plot was discovered the night before it was to have been carried into effect. The Histoire Philosophique has a thousand beauties; but it grieves me to say, that, in point of historical accuracy, it is nearly on a level with the History of Robinson Crusoe.

of

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of rum of 100 gallons, 60 hogsheads of melasses, 4,667 bags CHAP. I. of ginger, 600 bags of cotton, and 327 gourds of aloes.

The exports, on an average of 1784, 1785 and 1786, had fallen to 9,554 hogsheads of sugar, 5,448 puncheons of rum, 6,320 bags of ginger, 8,331 bags of cotton; exclusive of some smaller articles, as aloes, sweetmeats, &c. of which the quantities are not ascertained. the dreadful succession of hurricanes, with which it has pleased the Almighty to visit this, and the other West Indian islands, within the last twelve years, has contributed to this great defalcation, cannot be doubted. The capital of this island was scarce risen from the allies to which it had been reduced by two dreadful fires, when it was torn from its foundations, and the whole country made a scene of desolation, by the storm of the 10th of October 1780, in which no less than four thousand three hundred and twenty-fix of the inhabitants (blacks and whites) miserably perished; and the damage to the country was computed at ÂŁ.1,320,564. 15 s.

THAT

ling. might have been presumed, however, from the favourable seasons which have been experienced for the last three or four years, that the prospect was at length beginning to brighten; but although, since the failure of their sugar plantations, the inhabitants have found some resource in the cultivation of cotton, it does not seem probable, that any encouragement is capable of ever restoring this island to its ancient splendor and opulence; unless it be relieved from the heavy imposition of 4½ per cent. on their exported produce, of the Y y 2 origin IT

348

HISTORY

OF

THE

BOOK origin of which I have so largely treated. It is to be hoped, III. that an enlightened minister will one day arise, who will have the courage and virtue to signify to the sovereign, that it is neither becoming the dignity, nor confident with the character of the common father of all his subjects, to insist on a tribute from a part of them, which, though nominally granted by themselves, was assuredly obtained by fraud and oppression, and of which the continuance is a check to honest industry, and perhaps the immediate cause of the decline of this beautiful and once valuable colony. is divided into five districts, and eleven parishes; and contains four towns, Bridgetown, Ostins or Charles Town, St. James’s (formerly called The Hole) and Speight’s Town. Bridgetown, the capital, before it was destroyed by the fires of 1766, confided of about fifteen hundred houses, which were mostly built of brick ; and it is still the feat of government, and may be called the chief residence of the governor, who is provided with a country villa called Pilgrims, situated within a mile of it: his salary was raised by Queen Anne from twelve hundred to two thousand pounds per annum, the whole of which is paid out of the exchequer, and charged to the account of the four and a half per cent. duty. The form of the government of this island so very nearly resembles that of Jamaica, which has already been described, that it is unnecessary to enter into detail, except to observe that the council is composed of twelve members, and the assembly of twentytwo. The mod important variation respects the court of chancery, which in Barbadoes is constituted of the governor and x BARBADOES

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and council, whereas in Jamaica the governor is sole chancellor. CHAP. I. On the other hand, in Barbadoes, the governor sits in council, even when the latter are acting in a legislative capacity. This, in Jamaica, would be considered improper and unconstitutional.

It may also be observed, that the courts of grand sessions, common pleas and exchequer, in Barbadoes, are distinct from each other, and not, as in Jamaica, united and blended in one supreme court of judicature. close my account of Barbadoes with the following authentick document : I SHALL

An

35

0

HISTORY

OF

THE

BOOK

III.

Published by J. Stockdale Piccadilly Octo.r 6. 1794.

J. Cooke. sc. Mil Hill.

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CHAP.

351

II.

Grenada and its Dependencies.

First discovery, name and inhabitants.—French invasion and esta- CHAP. II. blishment in 1650.—War with, and extermination of the natives.

—The island and its dependencies conveyed to the Count de Cerillac.—Misconduct and punishment of the deputy-governor.—The colony reverts to the crown of France.—State of the island in 1700 .—And again in 1762, when captured by the English— Stipulations in favour of the French inhabitants.—First measures of the British government.—Claim of the crown to levy a duty of 4½ per cent. on produce exported.—Arguments for and objections against the measure.—Decision of the court of King's Bench on this important question .—Strictures on some positions advanced by the lord-chief-justice on this occasion.—Transactions within the colony.—Royal instructions in favour of the Roman Catholick capitulants.—Internal dissentions.—Defenceless state.

—French invasion in 1779.—Brave defence of the garrison.—Unconditional surrender.—Hardships exercised towards the English planters and their creditors.—Redress given by the court of France.—Grenada,. &c. restored to Great Britain by the peace of 1783.—Present state of the colony in respect to cultivation, productions and exports ; government and population.

G

RENADA was discovered by, and received its name from, Christopher Columbus in his third voyage, in the year 1498. He found it possessed by a numerous and warlike people,

HISTORY

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people, amongst whom it does not appear that the Spaniards ever attempted to force a settlement. They had a nobler prize to contend for on the continent, and a century elapsed before the other nations of Europe considered the regions of the new world as countries, wherein all men might seize on what suited their convenience, without any regard to the proper inhabitants. Thus the Charaibes of Grenada happily remained in peaceful obscurity until the year 1650, when the avarice and ambition of a restless individual devoted them to destruction. person was Du Parquet, the French governor of Martinico, nephew and heir of Desnambuc, of whom memorable mention is made in the annals of St. Christopher. Notwithstanding that the French establishment in Martinico was itself of recent date, and that a great part of that island still remained uncultivated ; and although another establishment was, at the same time, begun by the same nation, in the large and fertile island of Guadaloupe, yet such was the rapaciousness of this people, that upwards of two hundred hardy ruffians were easily collected by Du Parquet’s encouragement for an attempt on Grenada ; and it is apparent, from the nature and magnitude of the preparations, that it was considered as an enterprize of difficulty and danger.

THIS

history of this expedition, which took place in June 1650, is related at large by Father du Tertre, whose account exhibits such a monstrous mixture of fanaticism and knavery in the conduct of its leaders, as cannot be contemplated without THE

indignation

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indignation and horror. Although it is evident that the CHAP. French had not the smallest justifiable pretence for this invaII. commanders the administering find the holy sasion, yet we manner, all to solemn the crament, in the most soldiers on landing, Du Parquet, their embarkation; and again, on their causing a cross to be erected, compelled them to kneel down before it, and join in devout prayer to Almighty God, for success to their enterprize. commander seems however to have had a few scruples of conscience concerning the justice of his proceedings; for, having been received and entertained with the utmost kindness and cordiality by the natives (contrary to his expectation, and perhaps to his wishes) he thought it necessary to affect some little regard to moderation, by pretending to open a treaty with the chief of the Charaibes for the purchase of the country. He gave the natives (observes Du Tertre) some knives and hatchets, and a large quantity of glass beads, besides two bottles of brandy for the chief himself; and thus (continues he) was the island fairly ceded to the French nation by the natives themselves in lawful purchase ! After this notable transaction, it is not wonderful that the French should consider the refusal of the poor savages to confirm the agreement, as contumacy and rebellion.

THIS

Du PARQUET, having thus established a colony in Grenada, and built a fort for its protection, left the government of the Hand to a kinsman, named Le Compte, a man, according to Du Tertre, who possessed very singular talents for government ; VOL. I. Z z and

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354 BOOK III.

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and was remarkable for clemency and humanity. We find this gentleman however, eight months afterwards, engaged in a most bloody war with the Charaibes ; in the prosecution of which he authorized such ads of cruelty as furnish a portrait of him very different from that which the historian has exhibited.

On receiving news of the revolt of the natives, Du Parquet sent a reinforcement of three hundred men from Martinico, with orders to extirpate the natives altogether but Le Compte seems not to have wanted any incitement to ads of barbarity ; for Du Tertre admits that he had already proceeded to murder, without mercy, every Charaibe that fell into his hands; not sparing even the women and children. the manner in which this humane and accomplished commander, and his civilized followers, conducted hostilities against these miserable people, we may form an idea, from a circumstance that occurred in one of their expeditions, of which the reverend historian concludes his narrative as follows : “ Forty of the Charaibes were massacred on the spot.

About forty others, who had escaped the sword, ran towards a precipice, from whence they cast themselves headlong into the sea, and miserably perished. A beautiful young girl of twelve or thirteen years of age, who was taken alive, became the object of dispute between two of our officers, each of them claiming her as his lawful prize ; a third coming up, put an end to the contest, by shooting the girl through the head. The place from which these brabarians threw themselves into the sea, has been called ever since le Morne des Sauteurs (a). Our people OF

(a) Leapers Hill.

(having

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355

(having loll: but one man in the expedition) proceeded in the CHAP. II. next place to let fire to the cottages, and root up the provisions of the savages, and, having destroyed, or taken away, every thing belonging to them, returned in high spirits,� (bien joyeux).

BY

a series of such enormities, the whole race of Charaibes

that possessed Grenada in 1650, was speedily exterminated, and the French, having in this manner butchered all the natives, proceeded, in the next plaee, to massacre each other. particulars of this civil contest may, without injury to my readers, be omitted. I shall therefore only observe, that the supreme authority of Du Parquet and his lieutenant, was at length established in Grenada ; but the expence which had attended the plantation from its outlet, and the maintenance of the force which Du Parquet had been compelled to furnish in support of his authority, had so greatly injured his fortune, as to induce him to look out for a purchaser of all his rights and possessions in this island and its dependencies. In 1656 such a purchaser offered in the Count de Cerillac, to whom the whole was conveyed for 30,000 crowns.

THE

conduct of Cerillac towards the inhabitants of his newly acquired dominion was highly injudicious and oppressive. He appointed a governor of so arrogant and rapacious a disposition, and supported him in his extortions with such obstinacy, as to compel the most respectable of the settlers to quit the country and seek for safety under a milder government. At THE

Z z 2

length

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356 BOOK III.

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length the people that remained took the administration of justice into their own hands ; by seizing on the person of the governor, and bringing him to a public trial. The criminal was condemned to be hanged; but he pleaded noble birth, and demanded the honour of decollation. His request would have been granted, but unluckily an expert executioner in the. business of beheading could not readily be found ; the judges therefore compounded the matter with his excellency, by consenting that he should be shot, and he suffered in that mode with great composure. years after this, Monsieur de Cerillac, the proprietor, receiving, as it may be supposed, but little profit from his capital, conveyed all his rights and interest in Grenada, &c. to the French West-Indian company ; whose charter being abolished in 1674, the island from thenceforward became vested in the crown of France.

SOME

the various revolutions and calamities which had thus attended this unfortunate plantation, it may well be imagined that cultivation had made but little progress in it ; but although order and submission were at length introduced by the establishment of the royal authority, various causes concurred to keep the colony in a state of poverty and depression for many years afterwards. Even so late as 1700, if Raynal has been rightly informed, the island contained no more than 251 whites and 525 blacks ; who were employed on 3 plantations of sugar, and 52 of indigo.

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the peace of Utrecht, the government of France CHAP. II. began to turn its attention towards her West Indian possessions. Grenada however, for many years, partook less of its care than the rest. It had no constant correspondence with the mother country : some oppressive regulations of the farmersgeneral ruined the cultivation of one of its staples, tobacco: and the planters had not the means of obtaining a supply of negroes from Africa, sufficient for the purpose of cultivating sugar to any extent. These inconveniencies led them into a smuggling intercourse with the Dutch: a resource which at length changed their circumstances for the better ; encreased their numbers and occasioned a great part of the country to be fettled, insomuch that when, in the year 1762, the fortune of war made the English masters of this and the reft of the French Charaibean Islands, Grenada and the Grenadines are said to have yielded annually, in clayed and muscovado sugar, a quantity equal to about 11,000 hogsheads of muscovado of 15 cwt. each, and about 27,000 lbs. of indigo.

AFTER

surrenderedon capitulation in February 1762, and, with its dependencies, was finally ceded to Great Britain by the definitive treaty of peace at Paris on the 10th of February 1763 ; St. Lucea being restored at the fame time to France. The chief stipulations in favour of the inhabitants, as well by the treaty, as by the articles of capitulation, were these ; 1st. That, as they would become by their surrender, subjects of Great Britain, they should enjoy their properties and privileges, and pay taxes, in like manner as the rest of his Majesty's subjects of the.other British Leeward Islands. 2dly, With GRENADA

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respect to religion, they were put on the same footing as the inhabitants of Canada, viz. liberty was given them to exercise it according to the rites of the Romish church, as far as the laws of Great Britain permitted. 3dly, Such of the inhabitants of Grenada as chose to quit the island, should have liberty so to do, and eighteen months should be allowed them to dispose of their effects. island and its dependencies being thus become a British colony, one of the first measures of government was to issue a proclamation under the great seal, bearing date the 7th of October 1763, wherein, amongst other things, it is declared “ that all persons inhabiting in, or resorting to, the island of “ Grenada, might confide in the royal protection for the en“ joyment of the benefit of the laws of England, with the right “ of appeal to the king in council, as fully as the inhabitants of “ the other British Colonies in America under the king’s im“ mediate government.”—It also lets forth, “ that the king, by “ letters patent under the great seal, had given express power “ and direction to the governor, as soon as the state and cir“ cumstances of the colony would admit thereof, with the “ advice and consent of the council, and the reprsesentatives of “ the people, to make, constitute, and ordain laws, statutes, “ and ordinances for the good government thereof, as near as “ may be agreeably to the laws of England, and under such re“ gulations and restrictions as are used in the other British THE

“ colonies.”

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proclamation was followed by another, dated the 26th CHAP. II. of March 1764, inviting purchasers upon certain terms and conditions.

THIS

governor thus said to have been appointed, was general Melville, whose commission however did not bear date until the 9th of April 1764, and the assembly which he was directed to summon, met for the first time in 1765 ; previous to which, the British inhabitants were irresistibly called to the discussion of a great constitutional question ; of which it is proper I should now give some account.

THE

question arose from the information, that the crown, conceiving itself entitled by the terms of the capitulation to the duty of 4½ per cent. upon all produce exported from the newly ceded islands, as paid at Barbadoes, &c. had issued letters patent, bearing date the 20th July 1764, ordering and directing, by virtue of the prerogative royal, that from and after the 29th of September, then next ensuing, such duty or import in specie, should be levied in Grenada ; in lieu of all customs and duties formerly paid to the French king.

THE

have seen, in the history of Barbadoes, in what manner the inhabitants of that island became subject to the duty in question ; and to what purposes the money was expressly stipulated to be applied; but, unjustifiable as were the means by which that imposition was originally established in Barbadoes, the grant was, apparently, the grant of the people themselves, by their representatives in their legislative capacity. Even * Charles WE

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Charles the IId, in whose reign the grant palled, though a rapacious and unprincipled monarch, did not openly claim the right of laying taxes by his own authority in a colony which had an assembly of its own, competent to that purpose. The king was ready enough to overawe, or to corrupt the members which composed that assembly ; but he left them the form and semblance at least, of a free government. defence of the present measure, it was urged that Grenada being a conquered country, the king was invested with the power of putting the inhabitants under what form of government he thought best ; that he might have granted them what terms of capitulation, and have concluded what articles of peace with them he saw fit ; and further, that the assurance to the inhabitants of Grenada, in the articles of capitulation, that they should enjoy their properties and privileges in like manner as the other his Majesty’s subjects in the British Leeward Islands, necessarily implied that they were bound to submit to the fame consequences of their being subjects as were submitted to by the inhabitants of those islands ; one of which was the payment of the duty in question. It was said therefore that the demand of this duty was most reasonable, equitable and political ; for that it was only putting Grenada, as to duties, on the fame footing with all the British Leeward Islands. If Grenada paid more, it would be detrimental to her, if less, it would be detrimental to the other Leeward Islands.

IN

the other side, it was contended, that the letters patent were void on two points, the first was “ that although they had ON

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had been granted before the proclamation of the 7th of October CHAP. II. 1763, yet the king could not exercise such a legislative power over a conquered country.”—The second point was, “ that although the king had sufficient power and authority, before the 7th of October 1763, to do such a legislative act, he had diverted himself of such authority previous to the letters patent of the 20th of July 1764,” crown however persisting in its claim, and the inhabitants in opposing it, issue was joined on the arguments that I have stated, and the question was at length referred to a solemn adjudication before the judges of the Court of King’s Bench in England (b).

THE

cafe was elaborately argued in Westminster-hall, four several times ; and in Michaelmas term 1774, Lord chief justice Mansfield pronounced judgment, against the crown. The consequence was, that the duty in question was abolished, not only in Grenada, but also in the ceded islands of Dominica, St. Vincent, and Tobago.

THE

may be reasonably supposed that the inhabitants of all these islands had sufficient cause for exultation at a verdict so favourable to their interests; but the circumstances on which the decision was founded, and the doctrines which were promulgated along with it, became the subject of much animadversion ; and indeed (if I may obtrude my own opinion in such IT

(b) The cafe is related at large in Cowper’s Reports.

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a case)

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BOOK a case) they appear to me to be of a dangerous and unconstiIII. tutional tendency. noble and venerable judge who pronounced the opinion of the Court, rested the determination solely on the circumstance, that the proclamations of October 1763, and March 1764, were of prior date to the letters patent; observing, that the king had precluded himself from the exercise of legislative authority over Grenada, before the letters patent were issued. “ Through inattention, he said, of the king’s servants, in inverting the order in which the instruments should have passed, the last act was contradictory to, and a violation of the first, and on that account null and void.” But, although the noble lord confined the mere legal question to a narrow compass, he judged it necessary, at the same time, to enter on a wide and extensive field of discussion in support of the regal authority over conquered countries; maintaining “ that it is left to the king to grant or refuse a capitulation ;—if he refuses, and puts the inhabitants to the sword, or otherwise exterminates them, all the lands belong to himself. If he receives the inhabitants under his protection, and grants them their property, he has a power to fix such terms and conditions as he thinks proper. He may (said the noble judge) yield up the conquest, or retain it, on what terms he pleases, and change part, or the whole, of the law, or political form of its government, as he sees best.” In reply to an observation, that no adjudged cafe, in point, had been adduced, the noble lord declared that this was not to be wondered at, “ inasmuch as no question was ever started before but THE

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but that the king has a right to a legislative authority over a CHAP. II. conquered country ;” and he quoted an opinion of the crown lawyers in 1722, in respect of Jamaica. The assembly of that island being refractory, it was referred to Sir Philip Yorke and Sir Clement Wearge to know “ what could be done if the assembly should obstinately continue to withhold all the usual supplies.” They reported, that “ if Jamaica was still to be considered as a conquered island, the king had a right to levy taxes upon the inhabitants; but if it was to be considered in the fame light as the other colonies, no tax could be imposed on the inhabitants, but by an assembly of the island, or by an aft of parliament.” is impossible, I think, not to perceive, throughout these, and other parts of the learned judge’s argument, a certain degree of bias arising from the unhappy dissentions which, about that period, broke out into a civil war between Great Britain and her colonies; in the progress of which, it is believed, this noble person distinguished himself as an active partizan, and a powerful advocate for the unconditional supremacy of the mother-country. I might otherwise be chargeable with great arrogance in presuming to differ from such weight of authority ; but surely it will be permitted me to examine the doctrine maintained on this occasion, by the ted of those cafes, which the noble judge himself adduced in its support. In such an examination, plain argument and common sense may supply the subtleties of legal refinement, and the want of professional learning.

THE 3 A 2 IT

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cafes chiefly relied on by the learned judge, were those of Ireland, Wales, Berwick and New York ; in all which places it was asserted that the king, after their conquest, had, of his own authority, exercised the powers of legislature, by introducing an alteration of their former laws, and establishing a new system of government over the inhabitants. “ No man (observed his lordship, in the cafe of Ireland,) ever said, that the change in the laws of that country was made by the parliament of England: no man ever said the crown could not do it.”

THE

the utmost deference, however, to the sentiments of this great and enlightened lawyer, I presume to think that the question was not simply, Whether the crown alone, or the parliament of England, had the right of exercising the authority contended for ?—I will even admit that the interposition of parliament was unnecessary. Still however the main question remains to be answered, which is, To what extent may the royal prerogative in such cases be exerted ? Did the noble judge mean to assert, that conquest destroys all the rights of the conquered, and that the king, in changing their laws and form of government, has a right to prescribe to them, not merely the English constitution ;—but any other system he thinks best ? If such was the opinion, it may be affirmed that the cafes which his lordship adduced in support of his argument, warrant no such conclusion.

WITH

first case was that of Ireland. “ The fact, fays the noble lord, comes out clearly to be, that Ireland received the laws of England by the charters and commands of Henry II. King John and Henry III.” 1 OF THE

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Wales, the noble lord observes “ that the statute of CHAP. II. Wales (12 Edward I.) is certainly no more than regulations, made by the king in his council for the government of Wales, and that the king governed it as a conquest; but let us hear on this subject the learned judge Blackstone. “ This territory, observes Blackstone, being then entirely re-annexed (by a kind of feodal resumption) to the dominion of the crown of England, or, as the statute of Rutland expresses it, terra Walliae cum incolis Juis, prins regi jure feodali subjecta, (of which homage was the sign) jam in proprietatis dominium totahter et cum integritate conversa est, et coronae regni Angliae tanquam pars corporis ejusdem annexa et unita. But the finishing stroke to their independency, was given by the statute 27 Henry VIII. c. 26. which at the fame time gave the utmost advancement to their civil profperity, by admitting them to a thorough communication of laws with the subjects of England. Thus were this brave people gradually conquered into the enjoyment of true liberty ; being insensibly put upon the fame footing, and madefellow citizens with their conquerors A OF

ANOTHER cafe was that of Berwick, which, observed the

noble lord, “ after the conquest of it, was governed by charters from the crown, without the interposition of parliament, till the reign of James I.” The noble judge would have stated this cafe more fairly, had he daid that Edward I. at the request of the inhabitants, confirmed to them the enjoyment of their ancient laws; but that “ its constitution was put on an English footing, by a charter of king James.” These are the very words of Blackstone.

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case next quoted by the learned judge was that of New York, which was conquered from the Dutch in 1664, and, like Wales, remained in possession of most of its former inhabitants. “King Charles II. (observes the noble judge) changed the form of their constitution and political government ; by granting it to the duke of York, to hold of his crown under all the regulations contained in the letters patent.”—So far is true; but what followed ? This duke of York (afterwards James II.) was a man whose principles of government were in the highest degree repugnant and inimical to those of the English constitution. Accordingly he attempted at first to introduce into the newly acquired country, a system little consonant to British freedom ; but he was disappointed and defeated. He was compelled, much against his inclination, to allow the people to choose deputies to represent them in the legislature; and these deputies actually voted " that all the ordinances which had been made by the governor and council, before the people were admitted to a share in the legislature, were invalid, because they were passed in a manner repugnant to the constitution of England.”

THE

this recital, it is I think evident that the noble and learned judge mistook the gist of the question; or rather confounded together two things which are totally distinct and repugnant in their nature; for he appears to have considered the prerogative in the king, of extending to his newly acquiredsubjects, the benefits of the English constitution, as equivalent to the right of ruling them by whatever constitution or system of government he pleases ; or, by none at all.

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would Teem then that, if the cases which have been ad- CHAP. II. duced prove any thing, they prove that the crown neither has prescribed, nor could prescribe, any form of government incompatible with the principles of the British conditution, to any colony or territory whatever, whether acquired by conqued or settlement ;—and good authorities are not wanting in support of this dodtrine. “ The king of Great Britain (fays an excellent writer (c) although at the head of a free date, may, in his own right, hold other dates, under a form of government that is not free ; as he does, for indance, the dates of the electorate of Hanover. He may too even as king of Great Britain, by virtue of his prerogative and as generalissimo of the empire, hold a conquered date (for the time being) under a form of government that is not free ; that is, under military law : but, in the indant that such conquered date is, by treaty of peace, or otherwise, ceded to the crown of Great Britain, in that instant it imbibes the spirit of the conditution, it is naturalized; it is assimilated to the government, it is governable and to be governed by, and under all those powers with which the governing power of king, lords and commons is invested by the constitution ; but it is not governable, neither is to be governed, by any powers which the governing power of king, lords and commons does not possess from the conditution : as for example, it cannot be governed on the principles of slavery; because the governing power of king, lords and commons is appointed by the conditution to govern on the principles of liberty.’' Surely it is a proportion abfurd and mondrous on the very face of it, to fay that a limited monarch, in a free date, may govern any part of the dominions of such a IT

(c) Mr. Estwick.

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BOOK state in an arbitrary and tyrannical manner. A body of subIII. jects so governed, would, if sufficiently numerous, be fit instruments to enslave the rest! intelligent reader will admit the vast importance of this question, both to the present age and to posterity; and perceive how greatly the dearest interests of men, who, in the contingencies of war, shall hereafter fall under the Britilh dominion, may possibly be concerned in its discussion. To such readers no apology will be necessary, for the detail which I have thought it my duty to give on a subject of such constitutional magnitude.— I now return to transactions with the colony.

THE

has been sated that the first assembly met in 1765. At that time none of the French Roman catholick inhabitants claimed a right, or even expressed a defire, of becoming members, either of the council or assembly : but in 1768 the governor received instructions from the crown, to admit two of them into the council, and to declare others to be eligible into the assembly, on taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy. The governor was directed also to include the names of certain persons of this description, in the commission of the peace.

IT

THESE instrudtions, and the measures which were taken in consequence thereof, gave rise to violent commotions and party divisions in the colony, which, being embittered by religious controversy, continue to divide the inhabitants to the present hour. It were highly unbecoming in me (a stranger to the island) to flatter the passions of one party or the other ; and I should

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should readily consign all the circumstances to oblivion, but that CHAP. II. it is my duty as an historian, to state without prejudice uch particulars as may, in their consequences, affect the general welfare of the colony, that the errors of one age may serve as a lesson to the next. opposition that was given by the British inhabitants to the appointment of any of the Roman catholick capitulants to feats in the legislature, arose, I believe, originally from an idea that the royal indrudions in this cafe were in dired violation of the ted ad of Charles II. which requires “ that all persons enjoying any place of trust or profit (hall, in addition to the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, subscribe a declaration againd the dodrine of transubstantiation in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper.” By the king’s instructions, above cited, his Roman catholick subjects of Grenada were declared eligible without subscribing to this declaration.

THE

LIBERAL and enlightened minds at this day are not easily reconciled to the doctrine, that an adherence to mere speculative opinions in matters of faith, ought to drive any loyal subject from the service of his country, or deprive a man (otherwife entitled) of the enjoyment of those honours and didinctions, the distribution of which the wisdom of the laws has assigned to the sovereign. Much less will it be thought that such a man is unworthy of that confidence which his neighbours and fellow citizens, who are bed acquainted with his principles and virtues, and are themselves of a different persuasion, shall think fit to repose in him. At the fame time, it VOL. I. must 3 B

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must be acknowledged, that the recent and then depending claim in the crown, to lay taxes on Grenada by its own authority, gave the inhabitants just cause of apprehension, that the royal instructions in the present cafe were founded, in like manner, on a pretension to legislative authority, subversive of their own colonial assembly. the other hand, it was alledged that the test act was never meant to extend to the British plantations; that it was confined, both in its letter and spirit, to the kingdom of England and the town of Berwick ; and though it were true that it is the practice of the courts of Grenada to adopt both the common and statute law of England, it was contended nevertheless, that the adoption could extend only to such of the English statutes, as were applicable to the peculiar situation of the colony. It was urged, that the act in question originated in an age of religious frenzy and fanatic violence.

The authority of history was adduced to prove that it was particularly promoted by a worthless individual, from animosity to the Duke of York, who was obliged, in consequence of it, to resign the great office of Lord High Admiral. A law thus founded and supported, instead of being considered as suited to the circumstances of a new and infant colony, ought, it was said, to be expunged from the English statute book.

ON

influence these, or other considerations, had on the British Ministry, I presume not to say. It is certain that the king refused to revoke his instructions; in consequence whereof the most zealous of the protestant members of the assemWHAT

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bly declining to attend, it was seldom that a house could be formed. Publick affairs soon fell into the utmost confusion, and in this date of faction and perplexity, the island continued, until its re-capture by the French in 1779. this occasion, charges were brought again the French inhabitants which I will not repeat, because I have no other evidence to support them than the mutual reproaches, and reciprocal accusations of the parties. The complaints indeed which were loudly made on the part of the French, of an usurpation of their dearest rights by the prevailing faction, seemed to imply that they relied rather on justification than denial.

ON

French ministry however required no other encouragement for attacking this island, than the defenceless state in which all the British settlements in the Well: Indies were at that juncture notoriously left. The hopeless and destructive war in North America had drawn to its vortex all the powers, resources, and exertions of Great Britain. Already had Dominica and St. Vincent become a sacrifice to that unfortunate contest ; when it fell to the lot of Grenada to experience her share of the general misfortune.

THE

the 2d of July 1779, a French armament, consisting of a fleet of 25 ships of the line, 10 frigates, and 5000 troops, under the command of the Count D’Edaing, appeared off the harbour and town of St. George : the whole force of the island was composed of 90 men of the 48th regiment, 300 militia 3 B 2 ON

371 CHAP. II.

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militia of the island, and 150 seamen from the merchant ships ; and its fortifications confided chiefly of an entrenchment, which had been hastily thrown up round the summit of the Hospital-hill. This entrenchment the Count D’Estaing in vested the next day, at the head of 3,000 of his best forces, which he led up in three columns, aud after a hard conflict and the loss of 300 men, carried the lines. Never did so small a body of men make a nobler defence against. such inequality of numbers. The governor (Lord Macartney) and the remains of his little garrison, immediately retired into the old fort, at the mouth of the harbour ; which however was wholly untenable, being commanded by the Hospital-hill battery, the guns of which having been mod unfortunately left unspiked, were now turned againd them. At day-break, the French opened a battery of two twenty-four pounders againd the walls of the old fort. In this situation, the governor and inhabitants had no resource but in the hopes of obtaining favourable terms of capitulation ; and herein they were disappointed. Their proposals were scornfully rejected, and such hard and extraordinary terms offered and insisted on by Count D’Edaing, as left them no alternative but the sacrifice of their honour, or an unconditional surrender. They embraced the latter; and it must be acknowledged, that the protection which was afforded to the helpless inhabitants of the town, and their property, not only while the treaty was depending, but also after the surrender of the island at discretion, reflected the highest lustre on the discipline, as well as humanity of the conquerors. Protection and safe-guards were granted on every application, and thus a town was saved from plunder, which by the drift rules of

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of war, might have been given up to an exasperated soldiery. is to be lamented that the subsequent conduct of the French government of Grenada, towards its new subjects, was not quite so generous. By an ordinance of the Count de Durat, the new governor, they were enjoined, under the penalty of military execution and confiscation of property, from the payment, directly or indirectly, of all debts due by them to British subjects, residing in any part of the British dominions ; and by another ordinance, the prohibition was extended to such debts owing to the subjects of the united provinces of Holland, as were guaranteed by any of the subjects of Great Britain. The Count D’Edaing had inserted claues to the fame effect, in the form of capitulation, which he had tendered, to the garrison, and it was those prohibitions that induced the British inhabitants, with an honed indignation, to risque the consequence of an unconditional surrender, rather than submit to them. With the virtue and integrity that it is to be hoped Will for ever distinguish the British character, they considered no sacrifice so great as the violation of that confidence, which had been reposed in them by their friends and creditors in Europe. But the ordinances went still further. By the regulations which they contained, it was enacted that all the estates belonging to English absentees, should be put into the hands of certain persons to be nominated by the governor, called conservators; and the produce be paid into the public treasury. Thus was plunder sanctioned by authority ; and the absent proprietors were not the only victims. The shameful facility * IT

373 CHAP. II.

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facility with which every French claimant was put into possession of estates, to which the slightest pretention was set up, gave the resident planters reason to apprehend, that the only indulgence they were to expect, was that which Poliphemus promised Ulysses, of being devoured the last.

MOST of these injurious proceedings, and various acts of personal oppression, inflicted on the conquered inhabitants of Grenada, were, by them, imputed to the too great influence with the governor of their late fellow subjects and neighbours, the French planters ; and it is much easier to account for, than to justify their conduct. Let it be remembered, however, to the honour of the French nation, that these nefarious proceedings were no sooner made known to the court of France, than they were disapproved and reprobated. The appointment of conservators was abolished, and restoration ordered to be made of the estates of absent proprietors. Redress was likewife very generally given, by appeals in the last refort, to such of the resident planters as had been illegally deprived of their possessions. But it was not long before the island itself reverted to the British dominion. and the Grenadines were restored to Great Britain, with all the other captured islands in the West Indies (Tobago excepted) by the general pacification which took place in January 1783 ; a pacification upon which, whatever may be its general merits, it is impossible but that the English sugar planters (except perhaps those of the ceded island) must refled with grateful satisfaction. It might indeed have been 1 GRENADA

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wished, by those who have at heart the present repose and fu- CHAP. II. ture prosperity of mankind, that some salutary regulations had been framed, at the fame time, sor preventing the revival of those unhappy national animosities among the white inhabitants of Grenada, of which I have so largely spoken, and which, I am sorry to be informed, were renewed on the restoration of the island with additional force and aggravated violence. It is not my intention however to enter into any further detail on the subject. As a friend to the interests of humanity, independent of religious opinions, and locality of birth, I shall rejoice if means can be found to reftore to this little community that peace, confidence and unanimity, without which its inhabitants must be a ruined people, and a prey to the first invader.

HAVING thus, as I conceive, sufficiently treated of the historical and political concerns of this valuable colony, I shall conclude with a short display of its present state, in respect of soil, population, productions and exports ; premising, that many of those little islands which are called the Grenadines, no longer appertain to the government of Grenada. By an arrangement of the British administration, which has taken effect since the peace, a line of division passes in an east and weft direction, between Cariacou and Union island. The former of these, and some smaller islands south of it, are all that are now comprised in the Grenada government ; Union island, with all the little islands adjoining, to the north, being annexed to the government of St. Vincent.

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GRENADA contains about 80,000 acres of land; of which

although no less than 72,141 acres paid taxes in 1776, and may therefore be supposed fit for cultivation, yet the quantity actually cultivated has never exceeded 50,000 acres. The face of the country is mountainous, but not inaccessible in any part, and it abounds with springs and rivulets. To the north and the east, the soil is a brick mould ; the fame, or nearly the fame, as that of which mention has been made in the history of Jamaica. On the wed side, it is a rich black mould on a substratum of yellowclay. To the south, the land in general is poor, and of a reddish hue, and the fame extends over a considerable part of the interior country. On the whole, however, Grenada appears to be fertile in a high degree, and by the variety, as well as excellence, of its returns, seems adapted to every tropical production. The exports of the year 1776, from Grenada and its dependencies, were 14,012,157 lbs. of muscavado, and 9,273,607 lbs. of clayed sugar ; 818,700 gallons of rum ; 1,827,166 lbs. of coffee, 457,719 lbs. of cacao, 91,943 Ibs. of cotton, 27,638 lbs. of indigo, and some smaller articles; the whole of which, on a moderate computation, could not be worth lefs, at the ports of shipping, than £.600,000 sterling, excluding freight, duties, insurance and other charges. It deserves to be remembered too, that the sugar was the produce of 106 plantations only, and that they were worked by 18,293 negroes, which was therefore rather more than one hogshead of muscavado sugar, of 16 cwt. from the labour of each negro, old and young, employed in the cultivation of that commodity; a prodigious return, equalled, I believe, by no other British island in the West Indies, St. Christopher’s excepted.——The exports of 1787

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2787 will be given hereafter: they will be found, except in one or two articles, to fall greatly short of those of 1776; a circumstance for which I know not wholly how to account.

THIS island is divided into six parishes, St. George, St.

David, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. Mark and St. John ; and its chief dependency, Cariacou, forms a seventh parish. It is only since the restoration of Grenada to Great Britain by the peace of 1783, that an island law has been obtained for the establishment of a protedant clergy. This act passed in 1784, and provides dipends of ÂŁ.330 currency, and ÂŁ.60 for house-rent per annum, for five clergymen, viz. one for the town and parish of St. George, three for the other five out-parishes of Grenada, and one for Cariacou. Besides these dipends, there are valuable glebe lands, which had been appropriated to the support of the Roman catholick clergy, whild that was the established religion of Grenada. These lands, according to an opinion of the attorney and solicitor-general of England (to whom a quedion on this point was referred by the crown) became veded in his Majedy as publick lands, on the restoration of the island to the British government, and I believe have since been applied by the colonial legislature, with the conent of the crown, to the further support of the protestant church, with some allowance thereout (to what amount I am not informed) for the benefit of the tolerated Romish clergy of the remaining French inhabitants. capital of Grenada, by an ordinance of governor Melville, soon after the cession of the country to Great Britain VOL. I. by 3 C THE

377 CHAP, II.

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by the peace of Paris, is called St. George. By this ordinances English names were given to the several towns and parishes, and their French names forbidden to be thereafter used in any publick acts. The French name of the capital was Fort Royale.

It is situated in a spacious bay, on. the weft or lee-side of the island, not far from the south end, and possesses one of the safest and most commodious harbours for shipping in the English Weft Indies, which has, been lately fortified at a very great expence (c).

THE other towns in Grenada, are, properly speaking, in-

considerable villages or hamlets, which are generally situated at the bays or shipping places in the several out-parishes. The; parish town of Cariacou is called Hilsborough.

GRENADA has two ports of entry, with separate establishments, and distinct revenue officers, independent of each other, viz. one at St. George, the capital, and one at Grenvillebay, a town and harbour on the east or windward side of the island. The former, by the 27 Geo. III. c. 27. is made a free port. (c) The town of Saint George is built chiesly of brick, and makes a hand some appearance. It is divided by a ridge, which running into the sea forms on one side the carenage, on the other the bay : thus there is the Bay-town, which boasts a handsome square and market-place, and the Carenage-town .wherein the principal merchants reside, the ships lying, land-locked, and in deep water close to the wharfs. On the ridge between the two towns stands the church, and on the promontory above it is a large old fort, which was probably constructed by the first French inhabitants. It is built of stone, and is large enough to accommodate an entire regimentWHETHER

WEST

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379

it be owing to the events of war, to domestick dissentions, or to calamities inflicted by the hand of Divine Providence, I know not, but it appears that the white population of Grenada and the Grenadines has decreased considerably since these islands first came into possession of the English, The number of white inhabitants, in the year 1771, were known to-be somewhat more than sixteen hundred ; in 1777 they had decreased to thirteen hundred ; and at this time they are supposed not to exceed one thousand, of which about twothirds are men able to bear arms, and incorporated into five regiments of militia, including a company of free blacks or mulattoes, attached to each. There are like wife about 500 regular troops from Great Britain, which are fupported on the Britifh establishment (d).

WHETHER

negro (laves have also decreased. By the lad returns preceding the capture of the island in 1779, they w ere dated at 35,000, of which 5,000 were in Cariacou, and the fmaller islands. In 1785 they amounted to no more than 23,926 in the whole. The decrease was owing partly to the want of any regular supply during the French government, and partly to the numbers carried from the iland by the French inhabitants, both before and after the peace. It is also to be observed, that of the African cargoes fold at Grenada, some part (perhaps a THE

r

(d) Besides the regular troops which are sent from Great Britain for the protection of Grenada, there are in its garrison three companies of king’s negroes, which came from America, where they served in three capacities, as pioneers, artificers, and light dragoons. In Grenada they form a company of each, and ate commanded by a lieutenant of the regulars, having captain’s rank.

3 C 2

fourth

CHAP. II.

HISTORY

380

OF

THE

BOOK fourth or fifth) are exported to the neighbouring French and III. Spanish colonies. free people of colour amounted in 1787, to 1,115. To prevent the too great increase of this mixed race, every manumission is, by an act of this ifiand, charged with a fine of one hundred pounds currency, payable into the publick trea— fury. But this law has neither operated as a productive fund, nor as a prohibition ; for it is usually evaded by executing and recording acts of manumission in some other island or government where there is no such law. The evidence of all free coloured people, whether bom free or manumitted, is received in the courts of this island, on their producing sufficient proof of their freedom and such free people are tried on criminal charges in the same manner as whites, without distinction of colour. They are also allowed to possess and enjoy lands and tenements to any amount, provided they are native-born subjects or capitulants, and not aliens.

THE

governor, by virtue of his office, is chancellor, ordinary and vice-admiral, and prefides solely in the courts of chancery and ordinary, as in Jamaica. His salary is ÂŁ. 3,200 currency per annum (e), which is raifed by a poll-tax on all slaves ; and it is the pradtice in Grenada to pass a salary bill on the arrival of every new governor, to continue during his government. In all cafes of abence beyond twelve months, the salary ceases and THE

determines. (e) The currency of Grenada, or rate of exchange, is commonly 65 per cent. worse than sterling.

X

THE

WEST

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381

council of Grenada consists of twelve members, and CHAP. II. the assembly of twenty-six. The powers, privileges and functions of both these branches of the legislature, are the fame, and exercised precisely in the fame manner, as those of the council and assembly in Jamaica. A freehold, or life estate, of fifty acres, is a qualification to fit as representative for the parishes, and a freehold, or life estate, in fifty pounds houserent in St. George, qualifies a representative for the town. An estate of ten acres in fee, or for life, or a rent of ten pounds in any of the out-towns, gives a vote for the representatives of each parish respectively; and a rent of twenty pounds per annum, issuing out of any freehold or life estate in the town of St. George, gives a vote for a representative for the town.

THE

law courts in Grenada, besides those of chancery and ordinary, are, first, the court of grand sessions of the peace held twice a year, viz. in March and September. In this court the first person named in the commission of the peace presides, who is usually the president or senior in council.

THE

2dly, THE court of common pleas. The court consists of one chief and four assistant justices, whose commissions are during pleasure. The chief justice is usually appointed in600 England, a professional man, and receives a salary of per annum. The four assistant justices are usually appointed by the governor from among the gentlemen of the island, and act Without salary.

3dly,

THE

court of exchequer.

The barons in this court* are

382

BOOK III.

HISTORY OF THE are commissioned in like manner as in the court of common, pleas. But this court is lately grown into disuse.

4thly, THE court of admiralty, for trial of all prize causes of capture from enemies in war, and of revenue seizures in peace or war.- There is one judge of admiralty and one surrogate.

LASTLY, The governor and council compose a court of error, as in Jamaica, for trying, all appeals of error from the court of common pleas.

ALTHOUGH there is no law of Grenada declaring an adoption of the laws of England, yet it has been always the practice of the courts, to consider both the common and statute law of England to extend to Grenada in all applicable cafes, not otherwise provided for by particular laws of the island. So in like manner the practice of the courts in Wedminder Hall, and authentick reports of adjudged cafes there, are resorted to, when precedents and authorities are wanting in the island. In. the cafe of its slave laws, it may be said with truth and judice, that the assembly of this island have shewn a liberality of sentiment which reflects the highed honour on their characters, both as legislatures and chridians.

I HAVE now furnished the reader with all the information I have collected, concerning the pad history and present date of the island of Grenada, and if it shall be thought deficient or uninstructive, the fault is not in the want of materials, but in the workman. Something however remains to be observed concerning ยง

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INDIES.

383

concerning such of the Grenadines as are dependent on the CHAP. II. Grenada government, the chief of which are Cariacou and Isle Ronde. The former contains 6913 acres of land, and in general it is fertile and well cultivated; producing in seasonable years a million of pounds of cotton for exportation, beides corn, yams, potatoes, and. plantains sufficient for the maintenance of its negroes. The cultivation of sugar has been found : less successful in this island than cotton, though it still continues to be made on two plantations. Isle Ronde contains about 500 acres of excellent land, which are wholly applied to pasturage, and the cultivation of cotton. It is situated about midway between Cariacou and the north end of Grenada, about four leagues from each.. my account of this colony, as of Rarbadoes, .with an authentick return by the Inspector General of Great Britain, of the exports from Grenada and its dependencies, for the year 1787 ; containing also an estimate of the actual value of the several articles at the Britith market : I

CLOSE

An

384

HISTORY

OF

THE

BOOK III.

CHAP.

WEST

INDIES.

385

POSTSCRIPT to the HISTORY of GRENADA.

The first edition of this work having fallen into the hands of a gentleman of distinguished abilities and learning (one of his Majesty’s Serjeants at Law) he was pleased, at the author’s request, to communicate his thoughts in writing on the doctrine maintained by Lord Mansfield, concerning the legal authority of the crown over conquered countries, as dated in page 362 of this volume, which I have great pleasure in presenting to the reader in the precise words in which they were given: “THE ground upon which the court reded their judgment Postscript. in the cafe of Grenada, was clearly sufficient to warrant CHAP. II. that judgment, even admitting the doctrine laid down by Lord Mansfield on the other point to be well founded ; but nothing can be more unfounded than that doctrine :—every proposition upon which it is made to red, is a fallacy. I deny that the king (at lead since the constitution has had its present form) can “ arbitrarily grant or refuse a capitulation.” The power of granting or refusing a capitulation, in the cafe of a siege or invasion, is certainly vested in him ; but it is vested in him, like every other power with which he is entrusted by the British constitution, to be exercised according to the usage which has prevailed in like cases. If that power should be abused, VOL. I. 3 D his

386 Postscript.

BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

his officers and ministers must answer to the publick for their misconduct.

“FOR the same reason I deny that“ the king can put the inhabitants of a conquered country to the sword, or otherwise exterminate them,” unless such severity be fully justified by the laws of war, as they are understood amongst civilized nations. “ BUT, supposing that a case should happen wherein such severity would be justifiable, I deny that, upon the extermination of the enemy, the lands would belong to the king himself : I say they would belong to the state ; and that they would be subject, not merely to the king, but to the sovereign power which governs the British dominions. If the king receives the inhabitants under his protection, and grants them their property, I deny that he has power to six such terms and conditions as he thinks proper; for he cannot reserve to himself, in his individual capacity, legislative power over them: that would be to exclude the authority of the British legislature from the government of a country subdued

by British forces, and would be an attempt to erect imperium in imperio. One consequence of this would be, that such conquered territory might descend to an heir of the king not qualified, according to the act of settlement, to succeed to the crown of Great Britain. The king might give it to a younger son, or bestow it on a stranger. A thousand other absurd consequences might be pointed out, as resulting from such incongruity.

I ADMIT

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INDIES.

387

“ I ADMIT that the king (subject to the responsibility of his Postscript.

CHAP. ministers) may yield up a conquest, or retain it, as he fees best; II. but I deny, for the reasons above hinted at, that he can impose what terms he pleases, or that he can arbitrarily change the law or political form of its government. I think he may agree, upon the capitulation, that the conquered people shall continue to enjoy their ancient religion and laws, and even this must be sub modo ; but I deny that he could, by his own authority, grant these things after the capitulation ; for that would amount to an exercise of independent sovereignty. The fallacy of Lord Mansfield’s argument, proceeds from an endeavour to confound the king’s civil and military characters, and to perpetuate in the chief executive magistrate, the vast powers with which it is necessary to invest the generalissimo of the armies, during the continuance of military operations. The moment these operations cease, he resumes his civil character, and in that character no man will venture to assert that, as king of Great Britain, he has the prerogative of being a despot in any part of his dominions. “ WITH respect to the cases of Ireland, Wales, and Berwick, even taking them precisely as Lord Mansfield puts them, I think they do not weigh a feather in the argument. Those cafes happened long before the English constitution had reduced itself to its present form, consequently, before the rights of the people were ascertained and defined as they exist at present. If a few instances of the exercise of arbitrary power by the ancient kings of England, are to be received as decisive cases, 3D 2

388 Postscript.

BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

cases, to shew what arc the powers of the crown at this day, I think it would be no very difficult talk to find authorities, even as low down as the reigns of the Plantagenets and Stuarts, to prove that the British government ought to be a pure despotism !

CHAP.

WEST

INDIES.

389

CHAP. III.

ST.

VINCENT

AND ITS

DEPENDENCIES,

AND

DOMINICA.

HE civil history of these Islands may be comprised with- CHAP. III. in a narrow compafs ; for the sovereignty of them having been long an object of dispute between the crowns of Great Britain and France, the rightful possessors, the Charaibes, derived that security from the reciprocal envy and avarice of the contending parties, which they might have expected in vain from their justice and humanity. As both St. Vincent and Dominica were included, with many other islands, in the Earl of Carlisle’s patent, it is not wonderful that attempts were made, at different times, to bring them under the English dominion. These attempts the French constantly opposed, with design, it was urged, secretly and surreptitiously to occupy the Islands themselves; and their conduct towards the Charaibes on other occasions seems to justify the suggestion.

T

BUT,

HISTORY

390 BOOK III.

OF

THE

whatever might have been their motives, they exerted themselves with such effect, that the English were compelled to relinquish all hopes of obtaining these Islands by force ;— for by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle (1748) St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Tobago, were declared neutral, and the ancient proprietors (such as remained of them) were at length left in unmolested possession.

BUT,

disputes and hostilities which these attempts of the English on the one hand, and resistance of the French on the other, gave rise to, in this part of the world, are no longer interesting, and therefore need not be brought again to remembrance. The depravity and injustice of mankind are at all times subjects of unpleasing speculation ; but the subsequent conduct of both nations, respecting the Islands which they had declared neutral, is too remarkable to be overlooked, even if historical precision did not, as in the present cafe it does, require me to relate the circumstances attending it.

THE

THE treaty of neutrality was no sooner concluded, than both English and French appeared dissatisfied with the arrangement which they had made. The latter seem not to have considered until it was too late, that by restricting the English from the occupancy of those countries, on the ground of right in a third party, they precluded themselves at the fame time. The English, on the other hand, discovered that, by acceding to the compromise, they had given up St. Lucia, an Island worth all the reft, and to which it must be owned we had some colourable pretensions, founded on a treaty entered into with the Charaibean

J. Milton Soulpt.

A FAMILY of CHARAIBES, drawn from the Life in the ISLAND of ST. VINCENT.

From an Original Painting by Agostino Brunyas, in the possession of Sir William Young Bark. F.R.S. Publish'd Nov. 18. 1794. by I. Stockdale. Piccadilly.

WEST

391

INDIES.

raibean inhabitants in 1664, six hundred of whom attended an CHAP. III. armament that was sent thither by Lord Willoughby, and actually put the English publickly and formally into possession. nations being thus alike dissatisfied with an arrangement which left nothing to either, it may be supposed, that on the conclusion of the war which broke out a few years afterwards, a very different stipulation took place. The French no longer pleaded scruples on behalf of the Charaibes, but very cordially concurred with the English in dividing the spoil. By the 9th article of the peace of Paris, signed the 10th of February, 1763, the three islands of Dominica, St. Vincent, and Tobago, were assigned to Great Britain ; and St. Lucia to France, in full and perpetual sovereignty; the Charaibes not being once mentioned in the whole transaction, as if no such people existed.

BOTH

THEY were in truth reduced to a miserable remnant.—Of the ancient, or, as they were called by the English, Red Charaibes, not more than a hundred families survived in 1763, and of all their ancient extensive possessions, these poor people retained only a mountainous district in the Island of St. Vincent (a). Of this Island and its dependencies I shall now treat, reserving Dominica for a separate section. (a) See the plate annexed, which contains an accurate delineation of a family these poor people still existing in this island, under the patronage and protection of Sir William Young, Bart, to whom I am proud to acknowledge my obligations, for the valuable assistance he has given me in rendering this edition of my work less unworthy the notice of the publick than the former.

9

SECTION

HISTORY

392

OF

SECTION ST. BOOK III.

THE

I.

VINCENT.

“THE Spaniards (says Doctor Campbell) bestowed the “name of St. Vincent upon this Island, because they, discover“ed it upon the 22d of January, which in their calendar is St. “Vincent’s day, but it does not appear that they were ever, “properly speaking, in possession of it ; the Indians being very “numerous here, on account of its being the rendezvous of “their expeditions to the continent.” Unfortunately, however, neither their numbers, nor the natural strength of the country, exempted them from hostility. What avarice had in vain attempted, accident accomplished, by procuring an establishment among them for a race of people, whom, though at first beheld by the native Charaibes with contempt or pity, they have since found formidable rivals and merciless conquerors. These people have been long distinguished, however improperly, by the name of the Black Charaibes. the origin of these intruders, and their ancient connection with the native Charaibes, the bell account that I have been OF

§

able

MAP of the

ISLAND of ST. VINCENT for the HISTORY of the

WEST INDIES by Bryan Edwards Esqr.

Published by J. Storkdale Piccadilly Octr. 6th. 1794.

WEST

INDIES.

393

able to find is in a small treatise of the author above quoted, CHAP. III. (Doctor Campbell) entitled “Candid and impartial considerations on the nature of the Sugar-trade,” which being equally authentick and curious, I shall present to my readers entire ; and with the less scruple, because it consists chiefly of an official paper which cannot be abridged without injury.

1672, King Charles thought fit to divide these governments, and by a new commission appointed Lord Willoughby Governor of Barbadoes, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Dominica ; Sir William Stapleton being appointed Governor of the other Leeward Isles, and this reparation has subsisted ever since, the fame Islands being constantly inserted in every new Governor’s patent. On the demise of Lord Willoughby, Sir Jonathan Atkins was appointed Governor of Barbadoes, and the rest of these Islands, and so continued till 1680, when he was succeeded by Sir Richard Dutton, who being sent for to England in 1685, appointed Colonel Edwin Stede Lieutenant Governor, who vigorously asserted our rights by appointing Deputy Governors for the other Islands; and particularly sent Captain Temple hither to prevent the French from wooding and watering without our permission, to which they had been encouraged by the inattention of the former Governors; persisting steadily in this conduct, till it was signified to him, as we have had occasion to remark before, that the king had signed an act of neutrality, and that ccmmissioners were appointed by the two courts, to fettle all differences relative to these Islands.

“IN

“SOME years after, a ship from Guinea, with a large cargo

VOL. I.

3 E

of

394 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

of slaves, was either wrecked or run on shore upon the Island of St. Vincent, into the woods and mountains of which great numbers of the negroes escape (a). Here, whether willingly or unwillingly is a little uncertain, the Indians differed them to remain, and partly by the accession of runaway slaves from Barbadoes, partly by the children they had by the Indian women, they became very numerous; so that about the beginning of the current century they constrained the Indians to retire into the north-weft part of the island. These people, as may be reasonably supposed, were much dissatisfied with this treatment ; and complained of it occasionally both to the English and to the French, that came to wood and water amongst them. The latter at length suffered themselves to be prevailed upon to attack these invaders, in the cause of their old allies; and from a persuasion that they should find more difficulty in dealing with these Negroes, in cafe they were suffered to strengthen themselves, than with the Indians. After much deliberation, in the year 1719, they came with, a considerable force from Martinico, and landing without much opposition, began to burn the Negro huts and destroy their plantations, supposing that the Indians would have attacked them in the mountains, which if they had done, the blacks had probably been extirpated, or forced to submit and become, slaves. But either from fear or policy, the Indians did nothing, and the Negroes sallying in the night, and retreating to inaccessible places in the day, destroyed so many of the French, (amongst whom was Mr. Paulian, major of Martinique, who commanded them) that they were forced to re(a) I am informed by Sir William Young, who is perfectly well acquainted with these people, that they were originally a race of Mocoes, a tribe or nation from the Bight of Benin.

tire.

WEST

INDIES.

395

tire. When by this experiment they were convinced that CHAP. III. force would not do, they had recourse to fair means, and by dint of persuasions and presents, patched up a peace with the Negroes as well as the Indians, from which they received great advantage. “ Things were in this situation when Captain Uring came with a considerable armament to take possession of St. Lucia and this Island, in virtue of a grant from our late sovereign King George I. to the late Duke of Montague. When the French had dislodged this gentleman, by a superior force from St. Lucia, he sent Captain Braithwaite to try what could be done at the Island of St. Vincent, in which he was not at all more successful, as will best appear from that gentleman’s report to Mr. Uring, which, as it contains several curious circumstances relative to the country, and to the two independent nations who then inhabited it, belongs properly to this subject, and cannot but prove entertaining to the reader. The paper is without date, but it appears from Mr. Uring’s memoirs that this transaction happened in the spring of the year 1723.”

“THE

REPORT.

pursuance of a resolution in council, and your order for “so doing, the day you sailed with his Grace’s colony for An“tego, I sailed with the Griffin sloop, in company with his “Majesty’s ship the Winchelsea, to St. Vincent. We made “the island that night, and next morning run along shore, and “saw several Indian huts, but as yet no Indians came off to us, “nor could we get ashore to them, by reason there was no 3E 2 “ ground “IN

HISTORY

396 BOOK III.

“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

OF

THE

ground to anchor in. Towards the evening, two Indians came on board, and told us, we might anchor in a bay to leeward, and when we were at anchor they would bring their General on board. Here we came to an anchor in deep water, and very dangerous for the sloop. One, whom they call General, came on board, with several others, to the number of twenty-two. I entertained them very handsomely, and made the Chief some trifling presents, but found he was a person of no consequence, and that they called him Chief to get some present from me. Here two of the Indians were so drunk they would not go ashore, but staid on board some days, and were well entertained. After this, little winds and great currents drove us off for several days but at last we came to an anchor in a spacious bay, to leeward of all the island, the draught of which I ordered to be taken by our surveyor, for your better understanding the place, being the only one where a settlement could be made. The ship and sloop were scarce come to anchor, before the Arand of the shore was covered with Indians, and among them we could discover a white, who proved to be a Frenchman. I took Captain Watson in the boat with me, with a Frenchman, and immediately went ashore. As soon as I came amongst them, I asked them, why they appeared all armed ? For every man had cutlasses, some had musquets, pistols, bows and arrows, &c. They with very little ceremony inclosed me, and carried me up the country about a mile, over a little rivulet, where I was told I was to fee their General. I found him sitting amidst a guard of about a hundred Indians, those neared his person had musquets, the rest bows and arrows, “ and

WEST

“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “

“ “

“ “

397

and great silence. He ordered me a feat, and a Frenchman CHAP, III. flood at his right hand, for an interpreter: he demanded of me, what brought me into his country, and of what nation ?

I told him English, and I was put in to wood and water, as not caring to fay any thing else before the Frenchman ; but told him if he would be pleased to come on board our ships, I would leave Englishmen in hostage for him and those he should be pleased to bring with him; but I could not prevail with him either to come on board, or suffer me to have wood and water. He laid he was informed we were come to force a settlement, and we had no other way to remove that jealousy but to get under sail. As soon as I found what influence the Frenchman’s company had upon them, I took my leave, after making such replies as I thought proper, and returned to my boat under a guard. When I came to the shore, I found the guard there were increased by a number of Negroes, all armed with fuzees. I got in my boat, without any injury, and went on board to Captain Orme, and told him my ill success. after, I sent on shore the ship’s boat with; a mate, with rum, beef and bread, &c. with some cutlasses, and ordered a Frenchman who went with the mate, to defire the guard to conduct them to their General, and to tell him, that though he denied me the common good of water and a little useless wood, nevertheless I had sent him such refreshments as our ships afforded. Our people found the Frenchman gone, and that then the Indian General seemed pleased, and received what was sent him, and in return sent me bows and arrows.’’ “

“ “

INDIES.

IMMEDIATELY

“ OUR

HISTORY

398 BOOK III.

THE

people had not been long returned before their General sent a canoe, with two chief Indians, who spoke very good French, to thank me for my presents, and to ask pardon for his refusing me wood and water, and assured me I might have what I pleased ; and they had orders to tell me, if I pleased to go ashore again, they were to remain hostages for my civil treatment. I sent them on board the man of war, and with Captain Watson went on shore. I was well received, and conducted as before. But now I found the brother of the chief of the Negroes was arrived, with sive hundred Negroes, most armed with fuzees. They told my interpreter they were assured we were come to force a settlement, or else they would not have denied me what they never before denied any English, viz. wood and water: But, if I pleased, I might take in what I wanted under a guard. Finding them in so good a humour, I once more introduced the defire I had to entertain them on board our ships, and with some difficulty prevailed with them, by leaving Captain Watson on shore under their guard as a hostage. I carried them on board the King’s ship, where they were well entertained by Captain Orme, who gave the Indian General a fine fuzee of his own, and to the Chief of the Negroes something that pleased him.

Captain Orme assured him of the friendship of the King of England, &c. The Negroe Chief spoke excellent French, and gave answers with the French compliments. Afterwards I carried them on board the Duke’s sloop, and after opening their hearts with wine, for they scorned to drink rum, I thought it a good time to tell them my commission, and what brought me on their coast. They told me it was “ well “ OUR

“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

OF

WEST “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “

INDIES.

399

well I had not mentioned it ashore, for their power could not have protected me ; that it was impossible; the Dutch had before attempted it, but were glad to retire. They likewise told me, two French sloops had, the day before we came, been amongst them, gave them arms and ammunition, and assured them of the whole force of Martinico for their protection against us. They told them also, that they had drove us from St. Lucia, and that now we were come to endeavour to force a settlement there; and, notwithstanding all our specious pretences, when we had power, we should enslave them ; but declared they would trust no Europeans; that they owned themselves under the protection of the French, but would as soon oppose their settling amongst them, or any ad of force from them, as us, as they had lately given an example, by killing several ; and they further told me, it was by very large presents the French ever got in their favour again ; but they resolved never to put it in the power of any European to hurt them. They advised me to think what they said was an ad of friendship. This being all I could get from them, I dismissed them with such presents as his Grace ordered for that service, with a discharge of cannon, and received in return as regular vollies of small shot as I, ever heard. In the night the Winchelsea drove from her anchors, which as soon as I perceived, and had received; Captain Watson from the shore, I got under sail, and flood to the man of war.”

is the history of a very weak and fruitless attempt which was made, under the authority of the British governSUCH

ment,

CHAP.

III.

HISTORY

400

OF

THE

BOOK ment, to obtain possession of this island in the year 1723 : an III. interval of forty years succeeds, in which I find no occurrence in its history that deserves recital. The country became a theatre of savage hostilities between the Negroes and the Charaibes, in which it is believed that the former were generally victorious ; it is certain that they proved so in the end, their numbers, in 1763, being computed at two thousand; whereas of the red or native Charaibes, there were not left (as hath already been observed) more than one hundred families, and most of these, if I am rightly informed, are by this time exterminated. It is however worthy of remark, that the African intruders have adopted most of the Charaibean manners and customs; among the reft, the practice of flattening the foreheads of their infants, as described in the first part of this work, and perhaps it was chiefly from this circumstance that they acquired the appellation of the black Charaibes. first measure of the English government in respect to this island, after the peace of Paris, was to dispose of the lands—I dare not fay to the best advantage; for no less than 24,000 acres, being more than one-fourth part of the whole country, were gratuitously assigned over to two individuals (a).

The remainder was ordered to be fold for the benefit of the publick, and 20,538 acres were accordingly disposed of by auction for the sum of £.162,854. 11s.7d. sterling (b). As nearly one THE

(a) Mr. Swinburne had twenty thousand acres, and General Moncleton four thousand. (b) The Lords of the Treasury fixed a minimum, below which no land could be sold, which was £. 5 sterling per acre for every acre of cleared land, and twenty

§

shilling

WEST

INDIES.

401

one half the country was judged unfit for any profitable cultivation, these grants and sales comprehended all the lands, of any kind of value, from one end of the island to the other.

The commissioners indeed were directed not to survey or dispose of any of the lands inhabited or claimed by the Charaibes, until they should receive further instructions from the crown; but as it was impossible to ascertain how far the claims of these people extended, the survey alone was postponed, and the sales were buffered to proceed, to the amount that I have mentioned; no doubt being entertained by the several purchafers, that the British government would ratify the acts of its commissioners, and put them into possession of the lands which they had bought, without any regard to the claims of the Charaibes of either race ; which in truth were considered as of no consequence or validity.

what arts of persuasion the British government was induced to give its sanction and support to the measures which followed, it is now useless to enquire; but posterity will learn with indignation, that the sales and allotments I have menBY

shillings for every acre in wood, and the principal conditions of sale were these, “ that every purchaser should pay down twenty per cent. of the whole purchase money, together with six-pence sterling per acre, for the expence of surveying the land, and that the remainder of the purchase money should be secured by bonds; to be paid by equal instalments in the space of five years next after the date of the grant. That each purchaser should keep on the lands so by him purchased, one white man, or two white women, for every hundred acres of land, as it became cleared, for the purpose of cultivating the same; or in default thereof, or nonpayment of the remainder of the purchase money, the lands were to be forfeited to the crown.� Some of the lands sold extravagantly high, as far as fifty pounds sterling per acre.

VOL.

I.

3 F

tioned,

CHAP. III.

402 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

tioned, gave rise to a war with the Charaibes, in the course of which, it became the avowed intention of government to exterminate those miserable people altogether, or, by conveying them to a barren island on the coast of Africa, consign them over to lingering destruction. By repeated protests and representations from the military officers employed in this disgraceful business, and the dread of parliamentary enquiry, administration at length thought proper to desist, and the Charaibes, after surrendering part of their lands, were permitted to enjoy the remainder unmolested, and they possess them, I believe, to this hour. the 19th of June 1779, St. Vincent’s shared the common fate of most of the British West Indian possessions, in that unfortunate war with America, which swallowed up all the resources of the nation, being captured by a small body of troops from Martinico, consisting of only four hundred and fifty men, commanded by a Lieutenant in the French navy. The black Charaibes however, as might have been expected, immediately joined the enemy, and there is no doubt that the terror which seized the British inhabitants, from an apprehension that those people would proceed to the most bloody enormities, contributed to the very easy victory which was obtained by the invaders; for the island surrendered without a struggle. The terms of capitulation were favourable, and the island was restored to the dominion of Great Britain by the general pacification of 1783.

It contained at that time sixty-one sugar estates, five hundred acres in coffee, two hundred acres in cacao, four hundred in cotton, fifty in indigo, and five hundred in tobacco, besides land ON

9

WEST

INDIES.

403

land appropriated to the raising provisions, such as plantains, CHAP. yams, maize, &c. All the reft of the country, excepting the few spots that had been cleared from time to time by the Charaibes, retained its native woods, and most of it, I believe, continues in the. fame state to the present hour. contains about 84,000 acres, which are every where well watered, but the country is very generally mountainous and rugged ; the intermediate vallies, however, are fertile in a high degree, the soil consisting chiefly of a fine mold, composed of sand and clay, well adapted for sugar. The extent of country at present possessed by British subjects is 23,605 acres, and about as much more is supposed to be held by the Charaibes. All the remainder is thought to be incapable of cultivation or improvement.

ST. VINCENT'S

Island, or rather the British territory within it, is divided into five parishes, of which only one was provided with a church, and that was blown down in the hurricane of 1780 : whether it is rebuilt I am not informed. There is one town, called Kingston, the capital of the island, and the feat of its government, and three villages that bear the name of towns, but they are inconsiderable hamlets, consisting each of a few houses only.

THE

the publick establishment that reflects the greatest honour on St. Vincent's is its celebrated botanick garden, under the provident and well directed care of Mr. Anderson.

It consists of 30 acres, of which no less than sixteen are in high 3 F 2 BUT

III.

HISTORY

404 BOOK III.

OF

THE

high cultivation, abounding not only with almost every species of the vegetable world, which the hand of nature has bellowed on these islands for use and beauty, for food and luxury, but also with many valuable exoticks from the East Indies, and South America.—If it be surpassed in this latter respect, by the magnificent garden of Mr. East (c), it claims at least the honour of seniority, and does infinite credit both to its original founders and present directors. the frame of its government and the administration of executive justice, St. Vincent seems to differ in no respect from Grenada.—The council consist of twelve members, the assembly of seventeen. The Governor’s salary is two thousand pounds sterling, one half of which is raised within the island, the other half is paid him out of the Exchequer of Great Britain.

IN

military force consists at present of a regiment of infantry, and a company of artillery, sent from England ; and a black corps raised in the country—but provided for, with the former on the British establishment, and receiving no additional pay from the island. The militia consists of two regiments of foot, serving without pay of any kind.

THE

number of inhabitants appears, by the last returns to government, to be one thousand four hundred and fifty Whites, and eleven thousand eight hundred and fifty-three Negroes.

THE

(c) In Jamaica.

See p. 197.

OF

x

WEST

INDIES.

405

the labour of these people I have no other means of CHAP. III. shewing the returns, than from the Inspector General’s account of the exports from this island for 1787, table of which, as in the cafe of the other islands, is subjoined. In this table, however, I conceive is comprehended the produce of the several islands dependant on the St. Vincent government, viz.

Bequia, containing 3,700 acres, a little island, valuable from the commodiousness of its fine harbour, called Admiralty Bay; Union, containing 2,150 acres ; Canouane, containing 1,777 acres ; and Mustique, containing about 1,200 acres (d) ; the Negroes employed in the cultivation of these islands (in number about 1,400) being, I believe, included in the 11,853 before mentioned.

OF

(d) There are likewise the little Islots of Petit Martinique, Petit St. Vincent, Maillereau, and Balleseau, each of which produces a little cotton.

An

406

HISTORY

OF

THE

BOOK III.

SECTION

MAP of the ISLAND of DOMINICA

for the History of the

WEST INDIES,

by Bryan Edwards, Esqr.

Published by J.Stockdale, Piccadilly, Octr. 6. 1794.

J Cooke. sc. Mill Hill.

WEST

INDIES.

SECTION

407

II.

DOMINICA. THE island of Dominica was so named by Christopher CHAP. Columbus, from the circumstance of its being discovered by III. him on a Sunday (e). My account of it will be very brief, for its civil history, like that of St. Vincent, is a mere blank previous to the year 1759, when by conquest it fell under the dominion of Great Britain, and was afterwards confirmed to the British crown, by the treaty of peace concluded at Paris in February 1763. that Dominica had, until that time, been considered as a neutral island, many of the subjects of France had established coffee plantations, and other settlements, in various parts of the country; and it reflects honour on the British administration, that these people were secured in their possessions, on condition of taking the oaths of allegiance to his Britannick Majesty and paying a small quit-rent (f). The rest NOTWITHSTANDING

of

(e) November 3d, 1493. (f) The crown granted them leases, some for fourteen, and others for forty years, renewable at the expiration thereof, with conditions in every lease, “ that the possessor, his heirs or assigns, should pay to his Majesty, his heirs or successors, the

408 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

of the cultivable lands were ordered to be fold on the fame conditions as those of St. Vincent, by commissioners nominated for that purpose, and no less than 94,346 acres (comprehending one half of the island) were accordingly disposed of by auction, in allotments from fifty to one hundred acres, yielding the sum of £.312,092. IIS. Id. sterling money (g). does not however appear that the purchases thus made by British subjects have answered the expectation of the buyers ; for the French inhabitants of Dominica are still more numerous than the English, and possess the most valuable coffee plantations in the island, the produce of which has hitherto been found its most important staple. They differ but little, in manners, customs, and religion, from the inhabitants of the other French islands in the West Indies, and their priests have been hitherto appointed by superiors in Martinico; to the government of which island, and to the laws of their own nation, they consider themselves to be amenable.

IT

sorry historical justice obliges me to observe, that the liberal conduct of the British government towards these peoI AM

sum of two shillings sterling per annum, for every acre of land, of which the lease should consist.” And further, “ that they should not fell or dispose of their lands, without the consent or approbation of the governor, or commander in chief of that island, for the time being.” This indulgence however did not extend to more than three hundred acres of land occupied by each French subject. or in the name (g) No person was allowed to purchase, either in his own name, of others, in trust for him, more than three hundred acres, if in Dominica, or five hundred acres if in St. Vincent.

ple,

WEST

INDIES.

409

ple, after they became adopted subjects, did not meet with that CHAP. III. grateful return from them, which, for the general interests of mankind, ought to be religiously manifested on such occasions. the commencement of the hopeless and destructive war between Great Britain and her Colonies in North America, the island of Dominica was in a flourishing situation. The port of Roseau having been declared a free port by act of parliament, was resorted to by trading vessels from most parts of the foreign Weft Indies, as well as from America. The French and Spaniards purchased great numbers of Negroes there for the supply of their settlements, together with vast quantities of the merchandize and manufactures of Great Britain; payment for all which was made chiefly in bullion, indigo, and cotton, and completed in mules and cattle ; articles of prime necessity to the planter (h).

AT

the island, though in itself certainly not so fertile as some others of less extent in its neighbourhood, was becoming very rapidly a colony of considerable importance ; but unfortunately it wanted that protection, which alone could give its possessions stability and value.

THUS

To those who recollect the frantick rage, with which all the faculties and means of Great Britain were directed towards, and applied in, the subjugation of America, the utter disregard which (h) Roseau is still a sree-port, but the restrictions and regulations of the late act are so rigid, that foreigners have no encouragement to refort to it, and, since some late seizures, consider the law as a snare to invite them to ruin.

VOL.

I.

3 G

was

HISTORY

410 BOOK III.

OF

THE

was manifested-by the then administration towards the security of this and the other British islands in the West Indies, may not perhaps be matter of surprise ; but it will hereafter be scarcely believed, that the whole regular force allotted, during the height of the war, for the protection of Dominica, confided of no more than six officers and ninety-four privates ! This shameful neglect was the more remarkable, as this island, from its local situation, between Martinico and Guadaloupe, is the best calculated of all the possessions of Great Britain in that part of the world, for securing to her the dominion of the Charribean sea. A few ships of war stationed at Prince Rupert’s Bay, would effectually stop all intercourse of the French settlements with each other, as not a vessel can pass, but is liable to capture, by ships cruizing off that bay, and to windward of the island. This indeed was discovered when it was too late. is probable that this, and the other circumstances which I have recounted, namely, the growing prosperity of the colony, and the criminal inattention of the British Ministry towards its security, had already attracted the vigilant rapaciousness of the French government ; but it is asserted, that many of the inhabitants within the colony, who had formerly been subjects of France, scrupled not, on the first intimation of hostilities having been commenced in Europe, in the year 1778, to invite an attack from Martinico. Proof of this may not perhaps easily be made, but it is certain that their subsequent conduct gave too much cause for such a suspicion.

IT

ON

Monday, the 7 th of September, in that year, a French armament, 8

WEST

INDIES.

armament, consisting of a forty-gun ship, three frigates, and about thirty sail of armed sloops and schooners, having on board upwards of two thousand regular troops, and a lawless banditti of volunteers, about half that number, appeared off the island, under the command of the Marquis de BouillĂŠ, governor of Martinico, and general of the French Windward West-Indian Elands. Part of the troops having soon afterwards landed without opposition, the enemy proceeded to the attack of Fort Cashacrou, the chief defence of the island, and in which a detachment of the regulars was stationed. This fort was built on a rock, about three hundred feet in perpendicular height, surrounded on three sides by the sea, and was considered so very defensible, that it was supposed a few hundred men, well provided, would maintain it against as many thousands. Great therefore was the astonishment of the English in the town of Roseau, in perceiving, by the French colours flying on it, that this fort had surrendered without resistance ; but, strange as it may seem, the cafe appeared afterwards to be, that some of the French inhabitants had insinuated themselves into the fort a few nights before, and having intoxicated with liquor the few soldiers that, were there on duty, had contrived to spike up the cannon. thus made themselves masters of Fort Cashacrou, the enemy landed their whole force about noon, and began their march for the town, which was defended by Fort Melville, and three other batteries; but unfortunately these batteries were ill provided, and worse manned. The whole number of the militia did not exceed one hundred ; for but few of the French 3 G 2 inhabitants HAVING

411 CHAP.

III.

HISTORY

412 BOOK III.

OF

THE

inhabitants thought proper to alienable, and of those that made their appearance, many withdrew themselves again, and were no more seen until after the island had surrendered. small force however that was collected, behaved with that spirit and gallantry, which give room to lament that they were not better supported. Three times was the enemy driven out of Fort Loubiere, of which they had pollened themselves in their march, and twice were the colours which they had hoisted thereon shot away. Their commissary-general, and upwards of forty of their soldiers, were killed, and de BouillĂŠ himself had a very narrow escape ; his sword being shot away from his side.

THE

gallantry was unavailing against such superiority of numbers ; for about two thousand of the French having shortly after gained possession of the heights above Roseau, this last circumstance determined the fate of the island. The bravery of the inhabitants, however, obtained for them very honourable terms of capitulation. Besides, being permitted to march out with all military honours, they were allowed to retain their civil government, and the free exercise of their religion, laws, customs, and ordinances ; to preserve the administration of justice in the same persons, in whom it was then vested (i), and to enjoy their possessions, of what nature soever, unmolested ; BUT

(i) It was stipulated that the members of the council should constitute a court of chancery, the powers of which were vested solely in the governor before the surrender.

a privilege

WEST

INDIES.

a privilege alio which was expressly extended to absent as well as resident proprietors. having thus completed his conquest, departed for Martinico; leaving the Marquis Duchilleau commander in chief of Dominica, whole conduct, during four years that he continued in the island, is laid to have been so wantonly oppressive and tyrannical, that we are left to wonder at the patient long-suffering and forbearance of the people under his government, in submitting to it for half the time.

DE BOUILLE

His first measure was to disarm the English inhabitants, and distribute their arms among the runaway Negroes, with whom he actually entered into an engagement for their assistance, if wanted. He issued a proclamation, forbidding the English to assemble together more than two in a place, under the penalty of military execution, and he commanded the centinels to shoot them if they palled in greater numbers. He ordered that no lights should be seen in their houses after nine o’clock at night, and that no English person should presume to walk the streets after that hour, without a candle and lanthorn. Mr. Robert How, an English merchant, and owner of a ship then in the bay, attempting to go on board his own vessel after that hour, was shot dead in the attempt, and the centinel who killed him was raised to a higher station in his regiment for having thus (as the governor expressed it) done his duty.

So very apprehensive was this governor that the English inhabitants were forming designs to retake the island, that every 6 letter

413 CHAP. III.

HISTORY

414 BOOK III.

OF

THE

letter of theirs was opened for his inspection before it was delivered. And, deeming this measure insufficient to furnish him with the knowledge of their private transactions, he adopted the practice of going himself in disguise, or employing others who better knew the English language, in order to listen at their doors and windows in the night-time, to the conversation which passed in domestick intercourse. repeatedly threatened to set fire to the town of Roseau, in case the Island should be attacked, and, though this was never attempted by the English forces, yet that town was set fire to by the French soldiers, who, there is every reason to suppose, did it by the governor’s private orders. This supposition was strongly corroborated by his behaviour on the night of that melancholy event, at which he himself was present the bed part of the time, like another Nero seemingly diverted with the Rene, and would not allow his soldiers to assist in extinguishing the flames (save only in houses that belonged to the French inhabitants) but permitted them to pillage the sufferers.

HE

fire happened the evening of Easter Sunday, 1781, by which upwards of five hundred houses were consumed in a few hours; and a vast quantity of rich merchandize and effects destroyed, to the value of wo hundred thousand pounds sterling.

THIS

the wretched inhabitants were thus groaning under domestick despotism, they had no resources from without. Their trade was entirely cut off, insomuch, that during five years and three WHILE

WEST

INDIES.

415

three months, the time that the island of Dominica was in possession of the French, it was resorted to by no vessels from Old France, nor was any of its produce exported to the kingdom ; but part of it was sent in neutral bottoms to the Dutch Eland of St. Eustatius, before its capture by Admiral Rodney ; and from thence it was exported to England, under the mod: extravagant expences and loss to the proprietors. parts of their produce were sent in Dutch vessels, which were engaged for the purpose in England, to Rotterdam; and after the breaking out of the war with the Dutch, the produce of Dominica was sent under imperial colours to Ostend, where the sugar sold from six to eight pounds sterling the hogshead.

OTHER

accumulated distresses ended in the absolute ruin of many of the planters, and we are assured, on good authority, that no less than thirty sugar plantations were, in consequence thereof, thrown up and abandoned by the proprietors. At length, however, the day of deliverance arrived; for, in the month of January 1783, Dominica was restored to the government of England. The joy which, on this event, animated the bosom and enlightened the countenance of every man, whom painful experience, under an arbitrary government, had taught to set a right value on the British constitution, may be conceived, but cannot be described. The inhabitants were now restored to the full enjoyment of their former privileges, under a civil establishment, similar to those of the other British colonies in the West Indies, which being hereafter to be described THESE

at

CHAP. III.

HISTORY

416

OF

THE

BOOK at length, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon in this place, except III. to observe, that the legislative authority of this island is vested in the commander in chief, a council of twelve gentlemen, and an assembly of nineteen members (k). The few observations therefore which follow, concerning its present state and productions, will conclude my account. contains 186,436 acres of land ; and is divided into ten parishes. The town of Roseau is at present the capital of the island, and is situated in the parish of St. George, being about seven leagues from Prince Rupert’s bay. It is on a point of land on the S. W. side of the island, which forms two bays, viz. Woodbridge’s bay to the north, and Charlotteville bay to the southward.

DOMINICA

is about half a mile in length, from Charlotteville to Roseau river, and mostly two furlongs in breadth, but less in some parts, being of a very irregular figure. It contains not more than five hundred houses, exclusive of the cottages occupied by Negroes. Before its capture by the French, it contained upwards of one thousand.

ROSEAU

island is twenty-nine miles in length, and may be reckoned sixteen miles in breadth. It contains many high and rugged mountains, interspersed with fine vallies, and in general they appear to be fertile. Several of the mountains contain THIS

(k) The governor’s salary is one thousand two hundred pounds sterling per annum exclusive of his fees of office.

inextinguished

WEST

INDIES.

417

unextinguished volcanoes, which frequently discharge vast quantities of burning sulphur. From these mountains also issue springs of hot water, some of which are supposed to possess great virtue in the case of tropical disorders. In some places the water is said to be hot enough to coagulate an

egg (l). is well watered, there being upwards of thirty fine rivers in the Island, besides a great number of rivulets.

The soil, in most of the interior country, is a light browncoloured mould, and appears to have been washed from the DOMINICA

mountains. Towards the sea-coast, and in many of the vallies, it is a deep, black, and rich native earth, and seems well adapted to the cultivation of all the articles of West Indian produce. The under stratum is in some parts a yellow or brick clay, in others a stiff terrace, but it is in most places very stony.

afraid, however, that the quantity of fertile land is but a very small proportion of the whole; there not being more than fifty sugar plantations at present in cultivation, and it is computed, that on an average, one year with another, those fifty plantations do not produce annually more than three thousand I AM

(l) In the woods of Dominica are innumerable swarms of bees, which hive in the trees, and produce great quantities of wax and honey, both of which are equal in goodness to any in Europe. It is precisely the same species of bee as in Europe, and must have been transported thither; the native bee of the West Indies being a smaller species, unprovided with stings, and very different in its manners from the European.

VOL.

I.

3 H

hogsheads

CHAP. III.

HISTORY

418 BOOK III.

OF

THE

hogsheads of sugar. This is certainly a very small quantity of that article for such an extensive Island, or even for the number of sugar plantations at present under cultivation, allowing only one hundred acres of canes to each. seems to answer better than sugar, there being somewhat more than two hundred coffee plantations in Dominica, which in favourable years, have produced three millions of pounds weight.

COFFEE

part of the lands are also applied to the cultivation of cacao, indigo, and ginger; and I believe that most of these articles, as well as of the cotton, which are comprehended in the exports, are obtained from the dominions of foreign states in South America, and imported into this island under the free-port law.

A SMALL

number of white inhabitants, of all descriptions and ages, appear, by the last returns to government, in 1788, to be 1236 ; of free negroes, &c. 445, and of slaves 14,967. There are also from twenty to thirty families of the ancient natives, or Charaibes, properly so called. They are a very quiet, inoffensive people, speak a language of their own, and a little French, but none of them understand English (m).

THE

SUCH

(m) A late writer gives the following account of these people; “ They are of a clear copper colour, have long, sleek, black hair: their persons are short, stout, and well made, but they disfigure their faces by flattening their foreheads in infancy, They live chiefly by fishing in the rivers and the sea, or by fowling in the

WEST

INDIES.

419

the information which I have collected concerning CHAP. III. the civil history and present state of Dominica, for great part of which I am indebted to a late publication by Mr. Atwood.

Nothing now remains but to fet forth the particulars and value of its productions, which I shall adopt, as in other cafes, from the return of the Inspector General for the year 1787.

SUCH

is

the woods, in both which pursuits they use their bows and arrows with wonderful dexterity. It is faid they will kill the smallest bird with an arrow at a great distance, or transfix a fish at a considerable depth in the sea. They display also very great ingenuity in making curious wrought panniers or baskets of silk grafs, or the leaves and bark of trees.�

3 H 2

An

420 BOOK

III.

CHAP.

WEST

INDIES.

CHAP.

421

IV.

Leeward Charaibean Island and Government, comprehending St. Christopher' s, Nevis, Antigua, Montferrat, and the Virgin Islands.—Civil history and Geographical Description of each. —Table of Exports from each If and for 1787 ; aud an Account of the Money arising from the Duty of Four and a Half per Cent. Observations concerning the Decline of the Islands, which conclude their History.

T

HESE several islands, since the year 1672, have con- CHAP. IV. stituted one distinct government : the governor being stiled Captain General, of the Leeward Charaibean Islands. He visits each occasionally, but his chief feat of residence is Antigua ; the government of each island, in the absence of the governor-general, being usually administered by a lieutenantgovernor, whose authority is limited to that particular island, and where no lieutenant-governor is appointed, the president of the council-takes the command. I shall treat of them separately, and afterwards combine, in a concise summary, those circumstances which are common to them all. civil history will be short ; for in this part of my subject I have but little to add to the recital of Oldmixon, and other writers, who have preceded me ; and where novelty is wanting, brevity is indispensibly requisite.

THEIR.

SECTION

422

HISTORY

OF

SECTION

ST.

BOOK III.

THE

I.

CHRISTOPHER’S.

THE island of St. Christopher was called by its ancient possessors, the Charaibes, Liamuiga, or the Fertile Island.

It was discovered in November 1493, by Columbus himself, who was so pleased with its appearance, that he honoured it with his own Christian name. But it was neither planted nor possessed by the Spaniards. It was, however, (not with standing that the general opinion ascribes the honour of seniority to Barbadoes) the eldest of all the British territories in the West Indies, and, in truth, the common mother both of the English and French settlements in the Charaibean islands. The fact, as related by an historian (a), to whose industry and knowledge I have been so largely indebted in my account of St. Vincent, was this, “ In the number of those gentlemen who accompanied Captain Roger North, in a voyage to Surinam, was Mr. Thomas Warner, who making an acquaintance there with Captain Thomas Painton, a very experienced seaman, the latter suggested how much easier it would be to fix, and preserve in good order, a colony in one of the small islands, despised and deserted by the Spaniards ; than on that vast country, the continent, (a) Dr. Campbell.

where,

WEST

INDIES.

423

where, for want of sufficient authority, all things were fallen CHAP. IV. into confusion ; and he particularly pointed out for that purpose the island of St. Christopher. This gentleman dying, Mr. Warner returned to England in 1620, resolved to put his friend’s project in execution. He accordingly associated himself with fourteen other persons, and with them took his passage on board a ship bound to Virginia. From thence he and his companions failed from St. Christopher’s, where they arrived in January 1623, and by the month of September following had raised a good crop of tobacco, which they proposed to make their staple commodity.” It has been shewn in a former chapter, that the first actual establishment in Barbadoes, took place the latter end of 1624. the generality of historians, who have treated of the affairs of the West Indies, it is afferted that a party of the French, under the command of a person of the name of D’Esnambuc, took possession of one part of this island, on the fame day that Mr. Warner landed on the other,' but the truth is, that the first landing of Warner and his associates happened two years before the arrival of D’Esnambuc ; who, it is admitted by Du Tertre, did not leave France until 1625. Unfortunately, the English fettlers, in the latter end of 1623, had their plantations demolished by a dreadful hurricane, which put a sudden stop to their progress. In consequence of this calamity, Mr. Warner returned to England to implore succour ; and it was on that occasion that he fought and obtained the powerful patronage and support of James Hay, Earl of Carlisle. This nobleman caused a ship to be fitted out, laden with all kinds of necesBY

saries.

424

BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

saries. It was called the Hopewell ; and arrived at St. Christopher’s on the 18th of May 1624 ; and thus he certainly preserved a settlement, which had other wise died in its infancy.

Warner himself did not return to St. Christopher’s until the year following. He was then accompanied by a large body of recruits, and D’Esnambuc arrived about the fame time ; perhaps the fame day. This latter was the captain of a French privateer ; and, having in an engagement with a Spanish galleon of superior strength, been very roughly handled, he was obliged, after losing several of his men, to seek refuge in these islands.

He brought with him to St. Christopher’s about thirty hardy veterans, and they were cordially received by the English, who appear at this time to have been under some apprehensions of the Charaibes. Hitherto Warner’s first colony had lived on friendly terms with these poor savages, by whom they were liberally supplied with provisions ; but having seized on their lands, the consciousness of deserving retaliation made the planters apprehensive of an attack, when probably none was intended.

Du Tertre relates, that the French and English receiving information of a projected revolt, concurred in a scheme for seizing the conspirators beforehand. Accordingly they fell on the Charaibes by night, and, having murdered in cold blood from one hundred to one hundred and twenty of the stoutest, drove all the rest from the island, except such of the women as were young and handsome, of whom, says the reverend historian, they made concubines and slaves. Such is the account of a contemporary author, Pere Du Tertre, who relates these transactions with perfect composure, as founded on common usage, and not unwarrantable in their nature. He adds, that x

WEST

INDIES.

425

that such of the Charaibes as escaped the massacre, having given CHAP. IV. the alarm to their countrymen in the neighbouring islands, a large body of them returned soon afterwards, breathing revenge ; and now the conflict became serious. The Europeans, however, more from the superiority of their weapons, than of their valour, became conquerors in the end ; [but their triumph was dearly purchased ; one hundred of their number having been left dead on the held of battle. this exploit, which Du Tertre calls a glorious victory, the Charaibes appear to have quitted altogether this and some of the small islands in the neighbourhood, and to have retired southwards. The two leaders, Warner and Desnambuc, about the same time, found it necessary to return to Europe for the purpose of soliciting succour from their respective nations ; and bringing with them the name of conquerors, they severally met with all possible encouragement. Warner was knighted by his sovereign, and through the interest of his noble patron sent back as governor in 1626 with four hundred new recruits, amply supplied with necessaries of all kinds ; while Desnambuc, under the patronage of Richlieu (the minister of France) projected the establishment of an exclusive company for trading to this and some of the other islands. That minister concurred with Desnambuc in opinion, that such an institution was best adapted to the purposes of commerce and colonization ;—an erroneous conclusion, which Desnambuc himself had soon abundant occasion to lament for the French in general either misunderstood or disapproved the project. Subscriptions came in reluctantly, and the ships which the new company fitted out on this occasion, were so wretchedly supplied with provisions and necessaries, AFTER

VOL. I.

3 I

that

HISTORY

426

BOOK III.

OF

THE

that of five hundred and thirty-two recruits, who failed from France with Desnambuc, in February 1627, the greater part perished miserably at sea for want of food.

English received the survivors with compassion and kindness ; and for preventing contests in future about their respective limits, the commanders of each nation agreed to divide the whole island pretty equally between their followers. A treaty of partition for this purpose was reduced to writing, and signed, with many formalities, on the third of May 1627 : it comprehended also a league defensive and offensive ; but this alliance proved of little avail against the Spanish invasion in 1629, the circumstances whereof I have elsewhere related.

Yet surely, unjustifiable as that attack may be deemed, if the conduct of the new settlers towards the Charaibes was such as Du Tertre relates, we have but little cause to lament over the miseries which befel them. The mind exults in the chastisement of cruelty, even when the instruments of vengeance are as criminal as the objects of punishment.

THE

may now be thought that those of the two nations who survived so destructive a storm, had learnt moderation and forbearance in the school of adversity ; and indeed for some years they appear to have lived on terms of good neighbourhood with each other ; but at length national rivalry and hereditary animosity were allowed their full influence, insomuch that, for half a century afterwards, this little island exhibited a disgustful scene of internal contention, violence and bloodshed. It is impossible at this time to pronounce with certainty, whether the French or the IT

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the English were the first aggressors. It is probable that each nation would lay the blame on the other. We are told that in the first Dutch war, in the reign of Charles II. the French kingdeclaring for the United States, his subjects in St. Christopher’s, disdaining an inglorious neutrality, attacked the English planters, and drove them out of their possessions ; which were afterwards, by the treaty of Breda, restored to them. In 1689, in consequence of the revolution which had taken place in England the preceding year, the French planters in this island, declaring, themselves in the interests of the abdicated monarch, attacked and expelled their English neighbours a second time, laying waste their plantations, and committing such outrages as are unjustifiable among civilized nations, even in a time of open and avowed hostility. Their conduct on this occasion was deemed so cruel and treacherous, that it was assigned by King William and Queen Mary among the causes which induced them to declare war against the French nation. Even fortune herself, inclining at length to the side of justice, from henceforward deserted them ; for, after they had continued about eight months sole masters of the island, the English under the command of General Codrington, returning in great force, not only compelled the French inhabitants to surrender, but actually transported eighteen hundred of them to Martinico and Hispaniola. It is true, that reparation was stipulated to be made them by the treaty of Ryswick in 1697 ; but war again breaking out between the two nations in 1702, the French planters derived but little advantage from that clause in their favour.

They had however, in 1705, the gloomy satisfaction to behold many of the English possessions again laid waste by a 3 I 2 French

427 CHAP.

IV.

HISTORY BOOK

III.

OF

THE

French armament, which committed such ravages, that the British parliament found it necessary to distribute the sum of £. 103,000 among the sufferers, to enable them to re-settle their plantations. Happily, this was the last ; exertion of national enmity and civil discord within this little community ; for, at the peace of Utrecht, the island was ceded wholly to the English, and the French possessions publickly sold for the benefit of the English government, In 1733, £. 80,000. of the money was appropriated as a marriage portion with the.

Princess Anne, who was betrothed to the Prince of Orange.

Some few of the French planters, indeed, who consented to take the oaths, were naturalized,, and permitted to retain their estates. was the origin and progress of the British establishment in the Island of St. Christopher. The circumstances which attended the French invasion in the beginning of 1782, when a garrison of lefs than one thousand effective men (including the militia) was attacked by eight thousand of the belt disciplined troops of France, supported by a fleet of thirty-two ships of war ; the consequent surrender of the island, after a most vigorous, and noble defence; and its restoration to Great Britain by the general peace of 1783, being within every person’s recollection, need not be related at large in this work. I shall therefore conclude with the following particulars, which I presume are somewhat lefs familiar to the general reader, and SUCH

their accuracy may be depended on.

ST. CHRISTOPHER

lies in 17° 15' North latitude, and 63°

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429

63° 17' West longitude ; it is about fourteen leagues in circuit, and contains 43,726 acres of land, of which about 17,000 acres are appropriated to the growth of sugar, and 4000 to pasturage. As sugar is the only commodity of any account that is raised, except provisions and a little cotton, it is probable, that nearly one half the whole island is unsit for cultivation. The interior part of the country consists indeed of many rugged precipices, and barren mountains. Of these, the loftiest is Mount-Misery (evidently a decayed volcano) which rises 3,711 feet in perpendicular height from the sea. Nature, however, has made abundant amends for the sterility of the mountains, by the fertility she has bestowed upon the plains.

No part of the West-Indies that I have seen, possesses even the fame species of soil that is found in St. Christopher’s. It is in general a dark grey loam, so light and porous as to be penetrable by the slightest application of the hoe ; and I conceive it to be the production of subterraneous fires, the black ferruginous pumice of naturalists, finely incorporated with a pure loam, or virgin mould. The under stratum is gravel, from eight to twelve inches deep. Clay is no where found, except at a considerable height in the mountains. what process of nature the soil which I have mentioned becomes more especially suited to the production of sugar than any other in the West Indies, it is neither within my province or ability to explain. The circumstance, however, is unquestionable. Canes, planted in particular spots, have been known to yield 8000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar from a single acre. One gentleman, in a favourable season made 6,400 lbs.

BY

on

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

430 BOOK III.

OF

or four hogfheads of Exteen cwt. each, per acre, on an average return of his whole crop. It is not however pretended, that the greatest part, or even a very large proportion of the cane land, throughout the island, is equally productive. The general average produce for a series of years is 16,000 hogsheads of sixteen cwt. which, as one-half only of the whole cane land, or 8,500 acres, is annually cut (the remainder being in young canes) gives nearly two hogsheads of sixteen cwt. per acre for the whole of the land in ripe canes ; but even this is a prodigious return, not equalled I imagine by any other sugar country in any part of the globe. In Jamaica, though some of the choicest lands may yield in favourable years two hogsheads of sixteen cwt. per acre; the cane land which is cut annually, taken altogether, does not yield above a fourth part as much. informed, however, that the planters of St. Christopher’s are at a great expence for manure ; that they never cut ratoon canes (b) ; and although there is no want in the country of springs and rivulets for the support of the inhabitants, their plantations suffer much in dry weather, as the substratum does not long retain moisture.

I AM

island is divided into nine parishes, and contains four towns and hamlets, viz. Baffeterre (the present capital, as it was formerly that of the French, containing about 800 houses) Sandy-Point, Old Road and Deep Bay. Of these, the two first are ports of entry, established by law. The fortifications consist of Charles-Fort, and Brimstone-Hill, both near Sandy Point ; THIS

(b) Ratoon canes are shoots from old roots, as will be fully explained hereafter.

8

three

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431

three batteries at Basseterre, one at Fig-tree Bay, another at Palmeto- Point, and some smaller ones of no great importance. proportion which St. Christopher’s contributes, with the other islands, towards an honourable provision for the Governor General, is £. 1000 currency per annum ; which is settled on him by the assembly immediately on his arrival. He has besides some perquisites ; and in time of war they are considerable.

THE

island within this government has a separate council, and each of them an assembly, or house of representatives. In St. Christopher’s, the council should consist of ten members, but it is seldom that more than seven are present. The house of assembly is composed of twenty-four representatives, of whom fifteen make a quorum. The requisite qualification is a freehold of forty acres of land, or a house worth forty pounds a year. Of the electors, the qualification is a. freehold of ten pounds per annum.

EACH

Governor of this, and the other islands in the same government, is chancellor by his office, and in St. Christopher’s fits alone. Attempts have been made to join some of the council with him, as in Barbadoes ; but hitherto without success, the inhabitants choosing rather to submit to the expence and delay of following the chancellor to Antigua, than suffer the inconveniency of having on the chancery bench judges, some of whom it is probable, from their situation and connections, may be interested in the event of every suit that may come before them.

THE

IN

CHAP. IV.

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432

BOOK III.

OF

THE

this island, as in Jamaica, the jurisdiction of both the king’s Bench and Common Pleas, centers in one superior court, wherein justice is administered by a chief justice and four puisne judges. The chief is appointed by the crown, the others by the governor in the King’s name, and they all hold their commissions during pleasure. The office of chief judge is worth about £. 600. per annum. The emoluments of the assistant judges are trifling.

IN

present number of white inhabitants is computed at 4000, and taxes are levied on 26,000 negroes ; and there are about three hundred blacks and mulattoes of free condition.

THE

As in the other British islands in the neighbourhood, all the white men from the age of sixteen to sixty are obliged to enlist in the militia, and in this island they serve without pay.

They form two regiments of foot, although the whole number of effective men in each regiment seldom exceeds three hundred ; but there is like wise a company of free blacks, and this, before the late war, constituted the whole of the military force within the island ; the British government refusing to send them troops of any kind. the wisdom of such conduct in Great Britain, the reader will be able properly to judge, when he is told, that the natural strength of this island, from the conformation and inequalities of its surface, is such, that a garrison of two thousand effective troops, properly supplied with ammunition and provisions, would OF

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433

would in all human probability have rendered it impregnable to the formidable invasion of 1782.

St. Christopher’s surrendered also the island of Nevis ; from which it is divided only by a small channel, and of which I shall now give some account.

WITH

SECTION

II.

NEVIS. THIS beautiful little spot is nothing more than a single mountain, rising like a cone in an easy ascent from the sea ; the circumference of its base not exceeding eight English leagues. It is believed that Columbus bellowed on it the appellation of Nieves, or The Snows, from its resemblance to a mountain of the fame name in Spain ; but it is not an improbable conjecture, that in those days a white smoke was seen to issue from the summit, which at a distance had a snow-like appearance, and that it derived its name from thence. That the island was produced by some volcanic explosion, there can be no doubt ; for there is a hollow, or crater, near the summit, still visible, which contains a hot spring strongly impregnated with sulphur ; and sulphur is frequently found in substance, in the neighbouring gullies and cavities of the earth.

VOL.

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3 K

THE

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

434

OF

THE

BOOK THE country is well watered, and the land in general fertile, III. a small proportion towards the summit of the island excepted, which answers however for the growth of ground provisions, such as yams and other esculent vegetables. The soil is stony ; the best : is a loose black mould, on a clay. In some places, the upper stratum is a stiff clay, which requires labour, but properly divided and pulverised, repays the labour bellowed upon it.

The general produce of sugar (its only staple production) is one hogshead of sixteen cwt. per acre from all the canes that are annually cut, which being about 4000 acres, the return of the whole is an equal number of hogsheads, and this was the average fixed on by the French government in 1782, as a rule for regulating the taxes. As at St. Christopher’s the planters seldom cut ratoon canes. island, small as it is, is divided into five parishes. It contains a town called Charles-Town, the feat of government and a port of entry, and there are two other shipping places, called Indian-Castle and New-Castle. The principal fortification is at Charles-Town, and is called Charles Fort. The commandant is appointed by the crown, but receives a salary from the island.

THIS

government, in the absence of the Governor-General, is administered by the president of the council. This board is composed of the president, and fix other members. The house of assembly consists of fifteen representatives ; three for each parish.

THE

THE

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435

administration of common law is under the guidance CHAP. of a chief justice, and two assistant judges, and there is an ofIV. registry deeds. the of fice for THE

present number of white inhabitants is stated to me not to exceed fix hundred, while the negroes amount to about ten thousand ; a disproportion which necessarily converts all such white men as are not exempted by age and decrepitude, into a well-regulated militia, among which there is a troop consisting of fifty horse, well mounted and accoutred. English forces, on the British establishment, they have none.

THE

English first established themselves in this island in the year 1628, under the protection and enco uragement of Sir Thomas Warner. Among the different classes of men, who fought to improve their fortunes in St. Christopher’s by the patronage of that enterprising leader, it can hardly be presumed, that every individual experienced the full gratification of his hopes and expectations. In all societies, there are many who will consider themselves unjustly overlooked and forgotten. Of the companions of Warner’s earliest voyages, it is probable that some would set too high a value on their services, and of those who ventured afterwards, many would complain, on their arrival, that the belt lands were pre-occupied. To soften and temper such discordancy and disquiet, by giving full employment to the turbulent and sditious, seems to have been one of the most important objects of Warner’s policy. Motives of this nature induced him, without doubt, to plant a colony in Nevis at so early a period ; and the wisdom and propriety of his first regulations gave strength and stability to the settlement.

3 K 2 WHAT THE

HISTORY

436 BOOK

III.

OF

THE

Warner began wifely, was happily completed by his immediate successor Mr. Lake, under whose administration Nevis rose to opulence and importance. “ He was a wife man,” fays Du Tertre, “ and feared the Lord.” Making this island the place of his residence, it flourished beyond example. It is said, that about the year 1640, it possessed four thousand whites : so powerfully are mankind invited by the advantages of a mild and equitable system of government ! Will the reader pardon me, if I observe at the fame time, that few situations in life could have afforded greater felicity than that of such a governor. Living amidst the beauties of an eternal spring, beneath a sky serene and unclouded, and in a spot inexpressively beautiful (for it is enlivened by a variety of the most enchanting prospects in the world, in the numerous islands which surround it) but above all, happy in the reflection that he conciliated the differences, administered to the necessities, and augmented the comforts of thousands of his fellow creatures, all of whom looked up to him as their common father and protector !

If there be pure joy on earth, it must have existed in the bosom of such a man ; while he beheld the tribute of love, gratitude and approbation towards him in every countenance, and whose heart at the fame time told him that he deserved it.

WHAT

sorry that I mult present the reader with a very different picture, in the account that I am now to give of Antigua.

I AM

SECTION

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SECTION

437

III.

ANTIGUA. ANTIGUA is situated about twenty leagues to the castward of St. Christopher’s, and was discovered at the fame time with that island, by Columbus himself, who named it, from a church in Seville, Santa Maria de la Antigua. We are informed by Ferdinand Columbus, that the Indian name was Jamaica. It is a singular circumstance, that this word, which in the language of the larger islands signified a country abounding in springs, should, in the dialect of the Charaibes, have been, applied to an island that has not a single spring or rivulet of fresh water in it. inconvenience, without doubt, as it rendered: the country uninhabitable to the Charaibes, deterred for some time the European adventurers in the neighbouring, islands from attempting a permanent establishment in Antigua; but nature presents few obstacles which the avarice or industry of civilized man will not endeavour to surmount. The lands were found to be fertile, and it was discovered that cisterns might be contrived to hold rain-water (b). So early as 1632, THIS

(b) The water thus preserved is wonderfully light, pure, and wholesome.

a few

CHAP. IV.

438

HISTORY

OF

THE

BOOK a few English families took up lands there, and began the culIII. tivation of tobacco. Among these was a son of Sir Thomas Warner, whose descendants still possess very considerable property in the island, one of them (Ashton Warner, Esquire) having been, in 1787, president of the council, and commander in chief in the absence of the governor. it was chiefly to the enterprising spirit and extensive views of Colonel Codrington, of Barbadoes, that Antigua was indebted for its growing prosperity and subsequent opulence.

This gentleman removing to this island about the year 1674, applied his knowledge in sugar-planting with such good effect and success, that others, animated by his example, and assisted by his advice and encouragement, adventured in the same line of cultivation. Mr. Codrington was some years afterwards nominated captain-general and commander in chief of all the leeward Charaibean islands, and, deriving from this appointment, the power of giving greater energy to his benevolent purposes, had soon the happiness of beholding the good effects of his humanity and wisdom, in the flourishing condition of the several islands under his government.

BUT

prosperity of Antigua was manifested in its extensive population; for when, in the year 1690, General Codrington commanded on the expedition again st the French inhabitants of St. Christopher’s, as hath been related in the history of that island, Antigua fumished towards it no less than eight hundred effective men : a quota, which gives room to estimate the whole number of its white inhabitants at that time, at upwards of five thousand.

THE

MR.

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439

dying in 1698, was succeeded in his government by his son Christopher; a gentleman eminently distinguished for his attainments in polite literature; and who, treading in the fame paths as his illustrious father, gave the people under his government the promise of a long continuance of felicity (c), His administration, however, terminated at the end of six years ; for in 1704 he was superseded (I know not on what account) by Sir William Mathews; who dying soon after his arrival, the Queen was pleased to appoint to the government of this and the neighbouring islands, Daniel Park, Esq. a man whose tragical end having excited the attention of Europe, and furnished a lesson for history to perpetuate, I shall be excused for entering somewhat at large into his conduct and fortune.

MR. CODRINGTON

was a native of Virginia, and was distinguifhed for his excesses at a very early time of life. Having married a lady of fortune in America, his first exploit was to rob his wife of her money, and then desert her. With this money he came to England, and obtained a return to Parliament; but gross bribery being proved against him, he was expelled the house.

His next adventure was to debauch the wife of a friend, for which being prosecuted, he quitted England, and made a campaign with the army in Flanders, where he had the fortune MR. PARK

(c) He was the author, if I mistake not, of a copy of verses prefixed to Garth’s Dispensary, in which is this beautiful triplet: I read thee over with a lover’s eye: Thou haft no faults, or I no faults can spy; Thou art all beauty ;—or all blindness I.

to

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

440 BOOK III.

OF

THE

to attract the notice, and acquire the patronage, of the Duke of Marlborough.—In 1704, he attended the Duke as one of his aides-de-camp, and as such, on the event of the battle of Hochstet, having been sent by his Grace to England, with intelligence of that important victory, he was rewarded by the Queen with a purse of a thousand guineas, and her picture richly set with diamonds. The year following, the government of the Leeward Islands becoming vacant, Mr. Park, through the interest of his noble patron, was appointed to succeed Sir William Mathews therein, and he arrived at Antigua in July 1706.

As he was a native of America, and his interest with the British administration was believed to be considerable, the inhabitants of the Leeward Islands, who were probably unacquainted with his private character, received him with singular respect, and the assembly of Antigua, even contrary to a royal instruction, added a thousand pounds to his yearly income, in order, as it was expressed in the vote, to relieve him from the expence of house-rent; a provision which, I believe, has been continued ever since to his successors in the government. return which Mr. Park thought proper to make for this mark of their kindness, was an avowed and unrestrained violation of all decency and principle. He feared neither God nor man and it was soon observed of him, as it had formerly been of another detestable tyrant, that he spared no man in his anger, nor woman in his lust. One of his first enormities was to x debauch THE

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INDIES.

441

debauch the wife of a Mr. Chester, who was factor to the royal CHAP. IV. African company, and the most considerable merchant in the island. Apprehending that the injured husband might meditate revenge, the worthy governor endeavoured to, be beforehand with him, by adding the crime of murder to that of adultery ; for Chester having about this time had the misfortune to kill a person by accident, his excellency, who had raised a common soldier to the office of provost-marshal, brought him to a trial for his life; directing his instrument the provost-marshal, to impanel a jury of certain persons, from whom he doubted not to obtain Chester’s conviction; and the execution of this innocent and injured man would undoubtedly have followed, if the evidence in his favour had not proved too powerful to be overborne; so that the jury were compelled to pronounce his acquittal. of his exploits was an attempt to rob the Codrington family of the island of Barbuda (of which they had held peaceable possession for thirty years) by calling on them to prove their title before himself and his council ; a measure which gave every proprietor reason to apprehend that he had no security for his possessions but the governor’s forbearance.

ANOTHER

declared that he would suffer no provost-marshal to- act, who should not at all times summon such juries as he should direct. He changed the mode of electing members to serve in the assembly, in order to exclude persons he did not like; and not being able by this measure to procure an assembly to his with, he refused to call them together even when the French threatened an invsiaon.

HE

VOL. I.

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HE

HISTORY

442 BOOK III.

OF

THE

entered the house of Mr. Chester, the person before mentioned, with an armed force, and seized several gentlemen (some of them the principal men of the island) who were there met for the purpose of good fellowship, on suspicion that they were concerting measures against himself ; most of whom he sent by his own authority to the common jail, and kept them there without bail or trial.

HE

these, and a thousand other odious and intemperate proceedings, the whole country became a party against him, and dispatched an agent to England to lay their grievances before the crown, adopting, in the first instance, all moderate and legal means to procure his removal ; but from the delays incident to the business, the people lost all temper, and began to consider forbearance as no longer a virtue. More than one attempt was made on the governor’s life, in the lad: of which he was grievoudy, but not mortally, wounded. Unhappily the furious and exasperated state of men’s minds admitted of no compromise, and the rash impetuous governor was not of a disposition to soften or conciliate, if occasion had offered.

BY

length, however, instructions came from the crown, directing Mr. Park to resign his command to the lieutenantgovernor, and return to England by the first convenient opportunity ; at the fame time commissioners were appointed to take examinations on the spot, concerning the complaints which had been urged against his conduct. It would have been happy if the inhabitants of Antigua had borne their success with moderation ; but the triumphant joy which they manifested AT

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manifested, on receipt of the Queen’s orders, provoked the governor into desperation. He declared that he would continue in the government in spite of the inhabitants, and being informed, that a ship was about to sail for Europe, in which he might conveniently have embarked, he refused to leave the country. In the meanwhile, to convince the people that his firmness was unabated, and that he still considered himself in the rightful exercise of his authority, he issued a proclamation to dissolve the assembly. were now coming fast to an issue. The assembly continued sitting not with standing the governor’s proclamation, and resolved, that having been recalled by his sovereign, his continuance in the government was usurpation and tyranny, and that it was their duty to take charge of the safety and peace of the island. On hearing of this vote, the governor secretly ordered a party of soldiers to surround them; but the assembly having obtained information of his intentions, immediately separated to provide for their personal safety. The ensuing night, and the whole of the following day, were employed in summoning the inhabitants from all parts of the island, to hasten to the capital, properly armed, to protect their representatives. It was given out, however, that the governor’s life was not aimed at; all that was intended, was to secure his person, and fend him from the island.

MATTERS

Thursday the 7th of December 1710, early in the morning, about five hundred men appeared in arms, in the town of Saint John’s, where Colonel Park had been making provision for 3 L 2 ON

443 CHAP. IV.

444 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

for resistance in cafe of an attack. He had converted the government house into a garrison, and stationed in it all the regular troops that were in the island. On the approach of the inhabitants however, his courage deserted him. The light of an injured people, coming forward as one man, with deliberate valour, to execute on his person that punishment which he must have been conscious his enormities well merited, overwhelmed ihim with confusion and terror. Although he must have been apprized, that his adversaries bad proceeded too far to retreat, he now, for the first time, when it was too late, had recourse to concession. He dispatched the provost-marshal with a message, signifying his readiness to meet the assembly at Parham, and to consent to whatever laws they should think proper to pass for the good of the country. He offered at the same, time to dismiss his soldiers, provided six of the principal inhabitants would remain with him as hostages for the safety of his person. The speaker of the assembly, and one of the members of the council, unwilling to carry matters to the last extremity, seemed inclined to a compromise, and proposed themselves as two of the hostages required by the governor ; but the general body of the people, apprehensive that further delay, might be-fatal to their cause, called aloud for immediate vengeance; and instantly marched forward in two divisions. One of these, led by Mr. Piggot, a member of the assembly, taking possession of an eminence that commanded the governments house, attacked it with great fury. The fire was briskly returned for a considerable time, but at length the assailants broke into the house. The governor met them with firmness, and shot Piggot dead with his own hand, but received in the same moments ยง

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moment a wound which laid him prostrate. His attendants,, CHAP. IV. seeing him fall, threw down their arms, and the enraged populace, seizing the person of the wretched governor, who was still alive, tore him into a thousand pieces, and scattered his reeking limbs in the street. Besides the governor, an ensign and thirteen private soldiers, who fought in his cause, were killed outright, and a lieutenant and twenty-four privates wounded. Of the people, thirty-two were killed and wounded, besides Mr. Piggot. The governor’s death instantly put an end to this bloody conflict. perished, in a general insurrection of an insulted and indignant community, a brutal and licentious despot, than whom no state criminal was ever more deservedly punished.

He was a monster in wickedness, and being placed by his situation beyond the reach of ordinary restraint, it was as lawful to cut him off by every means possible, as it would have been to shoot a wild beast that had broke its limits,and was gorging itself with human blood. “ The. people of England, fays an eminent writer (d) heard with astonishment of Park’s untimely fate ; but the publick were divided in their sentiments some looking upon his death as an act of rebellion against the crown, and others considering it as a sacrifice to liberty. The flagrancy of the perpetration, and compassion for the man, at last got the better.” In the latter assertion however, the writer is clearly mistaken; for the English government, after full investigation, was so thoroughly satisfied of Mr. Park’s misconduct, as to issue, much to its honour, a general pardon of all persons concerned in his death, and two of the principal actors therein were even promoted some time afterwards to feats in the council. THUS

(d) Universal History, vol. XLI. FROM

HISTORY

446 BOOK III.

OF

THE

this period I close my account of the civil concerns of Antigua, sinding no occurrence in its subsequent history of sufficient importance to detain the reader; what remains therefore is chiefly topographical, and I hope will be sound correct.

FROM

is upwards of fifty miles in circumference, and contains 59,838 acres of land, of which about 34,000 are appropriated to the growth of sugar, and pasturage annexed : its other principal staples are cotton-wool and tobacco; to what extent of cultivation I am not informed; and they raise in avourable years great quantities of provisions.

ANTIGUA

island contains two different kinds of soil; the one a black mould on a substratum of clay, which is naturally rich, and when not checked by excessive droughts, to which Antigua is particularly subject, very productive. The other is a stiff clay on a substratum of marl. It is much less fertile than the former, and abounds with an inirradicable kind of grass, in such a manner that many estates consisting of that kind of soil, which were once very profitable, are now so impoverished and overgrown with this fort of grass, as either to be converted into pasture land, or to become entirely abandoned. Exclusive of such deserted land, and a small part of the country that is altogether unimprovable, every part of the island may be said to be under cultivation.

THIS

FROM the circumstances that have been related, it is difficult to furnish an average return of the crops, which vary to so great a degree,

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INDIES.

447

a degree, that the quantity of sugar exported from this island in CHAP. IV. some years, is five times greater than in others; thus in 1779 were shipped 3,382 hogsheads, and 579 tierces; in 1782 the crop was 15,102 hogsheads, and 1,603 tierces; and in the years 1770, 1773, and 1778, there were no crops of any kind ; all the canes being destroyed by a long continuance of dry weather, and the whole body of the negroes must have perished for want of food, if American vessels with corn and flour had been at that time, as they now are, denied admittance. seems to me on the whole, that the island has progressively decreased both in produce and white population. The last accurate returns to government were in 1774. In that year, the white inhabitants of all ages and sexes were 2,590, and the enslaved negroes 37,808, and I believe, that 17,000 hogsheads of sugar of sixteen cwt. are reckoned a good saving crop..

This, as one-half the canes only are cut annually, is about a hogshead of sugar per acre for each acre that is cut. The produce of 1787 will be given hereafter; and I believe it was a year more favourable to Antigua, in proportion to its extent, than to any other of the British islands in the West Indies.

IT

is divided into six parishes and eleven districts, and contains six towns and villages. Saint John’s (e), (the capital) Parham, Falmouth, Willoughby Bay, Old Road, and James Fort; of which, the two first are legal ports of entry.— No island, in this part of the West Indies, can boast of so many ANTIGUA

(e) The town of Saint John’s was nearly destroyed by fire on the 17th of August 1769; upwards of 260 houses being confirmed ; besides wharfs, cranes, &c. &c. excellent

HISTORY

448 BOOK

III.

OF

THE

excellent harbours. Of these, the principal are English harbour and Saint John’s, both well fortified, and at the former, the British government has eslablished a royal navy-yard and arsenal and convveniencies for careening ships of war. military establishment generally consists of two regiments of infantry, and two of foot militia. There are likewise a squadron of dragoons, and a battalion of artillery, both raised in the island, and the regulars receive additional pay, as in THE

Jamaica. hath been alreadyobserved, that the governor or captaingeneral of the leeward Charaibean islands, although directed by his instructions to visit occasionally each island within his government, is generally flationary at Antigua: he is chancellor of each island by his office, but commonly holds the court in Antigua, and in hearing and determining causes from the other islands, presides alone. In causes arising in Antigua, he is assisted by his council, after the practice of Barbadoes ; and, by an act of the assembly of this island, confirmed by the crown, the president and a certain number of the council may determine chancery causes during the absence of the governor-general. The other courts of this island are a court of king’s-bench, a court of common-pleas, and a court of exchequer.

IT

legislature of Antigua is composed of the commander in chief, a council of twelve members, and an assembly of twentysive; and it is very much to its honour that it presented the first example to the sister islands of a melioration of the criminal law respecting THE

WEST

INDIES.

449

respecting negroe slaves, by giving the accused party the benesit CHAP. IV. of a trial by jury: and allowing in the cafe of capital convictions four days between the time of sentence and execution.

And it is Hill more to the honour of Antigua, that its inhabitants have encouraged, in a particular manner, the laudable endeavours of certain pious men, who have undertaken, from the purest and best motives, to enlighten the minds of the negroes, and lead them into the knowledge of religious truth. In the report of the lords of the committee of council on the slavetrade, is an account of the labours of the society known by the name of the Unitas Fratrum, (commonly called Moravians) in this truly glorious pursuit; from which it appears that their conduct in this business displays such found judgment, breathes such a spirit of genuine christianity, and has been attended with such eminent success, as to entitle its brethren and missionaries to the most favourable reception, from every man whom the accidents of fortune have invested with power over the poor Africans; and who believes (as I hope every planter believes) that they are his fellow-creatures, and of equal importance with himself in the eyes of an all-seeing and impartial governor of the universe. With an abridgment of that account, I shall close the subject of my present discussion. “ THE church of the united brethren have, ever since the year 1732, been active in preaching the gospel to different heathen nations in many parts of the world, but not with equal success in all places. The method here deferibed, and made use of by the missionaries of the said church, in leading the negroHaves in the West Indies to the knowledge and practice of VOL. I. christianity, 3 M

HISTORY

450

OF

THE

BOOK christianity, is followed, in all points that are not local, in all the III. missions of the brethren.

many years unsuccessfal labour, experience has taught them, that the plain tesdimony concerning the death and passion of Jesus Christ the Son of God, together with its cause and happy consequences, delivered by a missionary touched with an experimental sense of it, is the surest way of enlightening the benighted minds of the negroes, in order to lead them afterwards step by step into all truth : they therefore make it a rule, never to enter into an extensive discussion of the doctrines of God’s being an infinite spirit, of the holy trinity, &c. nor to seek to open their understandings in those points, until they believe in Jesus, and that the word of the cross has proved itself the power of God unto salvation, by the true conversion of their hearts. Both in the beginning and progress of their instructions, the missionaries endeavour to deliver themselves as plainly and intelligibly to the faculties of their hearers as possible ; and the Lord has given his blessing even to the mold unlearned, that went forth in reliance upon him, to learn the difficult languages of the negroes, so as to attain to great fluency in them: one great difficulty arises indeed from the new ideas and words necessary to express the divine truths to be introduced into them, but even this has been surmounted through God’s grace.

AFTER

As it is required of all believers, that they prove their faith by their works ; the brethren teach, that no habit of sin, in any land or place, nor any prevailing custom whatever, can be admitted 2

WEST

INDIES.

mitted as a plea for a behaviour not conformable to the moral law of God, given unto all mankind. Upon the fulfilment of this, the missionaries insist every where. Every thing that is accounted decent and virtuous among christians, is inculcated into the minds of the people. Drunkenness, adultery, whoredom; sorcery, theft, anger and revenge, and all other works of the flesh, as enumerated by our Lord and his Apostles as proceeding from the heart, being plain proofs that man is either unconverted, or again fallen into heathenism and idolatry, it follows of course, that any one guilty of these things is put away from the congregation, and not re-admitted before a true and sincere repentance is apparent, and the offence done away: but it is not sufficient that the believers abstain from open scandal, their private behaviour in their families, and in every occurrence of life, must evidence a thorough change of heart and principles: indeed the believing negroes in Antigua, and in other places where the brethren have missions, are so much under the influence of their masters, and of a variety of circumstances that attend their being slaves, that it may perhaps seem more difficult to effect a change of customs and practices, and to enforce a steady christian conduct in all cafes amongst them, than amongst free heathens; and yet it must be owned, to the praise of God, that this is visible at present in many thousand converted negroes. missionaries, however, have frequent occasion to fee with sorrow, how deeply rooted the habit of sin, and the tendency to excuse it, is in the minds of the negroes ; who, when unconverted, are particularly given to an unbounded gratification of 3 M 2 every THE

451 CHAP. IV.

452 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

every sensual lust ; but on this very account it becomes the more needful to watch, and not to suffer the least deviation from the right path, to remain unnoticed in the believers. It has been before observed, that baptism is administered to none, but to such in whom a thorough conversion of heart is already perceivable.

As soon as they are considered as candidates for baptism, they are subject to the discipline of the church, by which if they offend, and private admonition and reproof have not the desired effect, they are excluded from the fellowship of the rest, though they may attend publick service, and every means is still faithfully applied to bring them back. Thus a communicant, in cafe of an offence given, is not admitted to the Lord’s supper. This discipline has, by God’s blessing, had so good an effect, that many a believing negro would rather suffer the severest bodily punishment than incur it. If they confess their sins, and heartily repent, they are willingly, and, according to the nature of the offence, either privately, or in the prefence of a part or the whole of the congregation, re-admitted to the fellowship of the church. The believing negroes are not buffered to attend any where, where the unconverted meet for the fake of feasting, dancing, gaming, &c. and the usual plea of not entering into the fenful part of these diversions, is never admitted, inasmuch as the least step towards vice and immorality, generally plunges them by degrees into gross fins. The hankering after the vain traditions of their forefathers, is considered as a falling off from that love to the Lord Jesus and his doctrines, which once prompted them to forsake all ungodliness, and devote themselves unto God; and if they persist in evil ways, the faithfulness

WEST

INDIES.

453

fulness due to the reft of the flock on the part of the missionaries demands their separation, left they seduce others. polygamy of the negroes has caused no small embarrassment to the missionaries. The following is a short account of the brethren’s manner of treating them in this particular: When a negro man or woman applies as above decribed, to be baptized or received into the congregation, strict enquiry is made concerning every circumstance attending his or her situation and connections in life. If it is found that a man has more than one wife, the question arises, how. the brethren have to advise him in this particular: St. Paul says, “ if any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and that is yet an heathen, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away,” 1 Cor. v.ii. 21 ; but again he fays, “ a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife,” 1 Tim. iii. 2. We read of no further precept in the holy scriptures concerning this subject; the brethren therefore were of opinion, that the missionaries should, keep strictly to the following resolutions: THE

they, could not compel a. man, who had, before his conversion, taken more than one wife, to put away one or more of them, without her or their consent.

I.

THAT

II. BUT yet, that they could not appoint such a man to be a helper or servant in the church ; and III. THAT a man who believeth in Christ, if he marry, should take only one wife, in marriage, and that he is bound to keep himself only to that woman, till death parts them, THE

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

454 BOOK III.

OF

THE

instances that a man has three wives are few; all mistresses must of course be put away without exception; besides this, the missionaries lose no opportunity of inculcating into the minds of the married people, how to walk in this state conformable to the rules laid down in holy writ, and every deviation from them is severely censured. If any baptized man leaves his wife, and takes another, and takes one or more wives besides the first, or in cafe he has had two, and one dies, and he should marry another, he is excluded the fellow ship of the church.

Neither can the brethren admit of the heathenish customs in courting a wife, but they expect, that in cafe a believer wish to marry, he do all things in a decent and christian manner: it is of course expected that all baptized parents educate their children in the fear of the Lord, shewing them a good example. If by a sale of negroes by auction, or in any other way, wives are tom from their husbands, or husbands from their wives, and carried off to distant islands, though the brethren do not advise, yet they cannot hinder a regular marriage with another person, especially, if a family of young children, or other circumstances, seem to render an helpmate necessary; and, as is mostly the cafe, no hopes remain of the former ever returning. A certificate of baptism is given to every baptized negro, that must thus leave the congregation; and there have been instances, that by their godly walk and conversation in distant parts, they have caused others to hearken to their word and believe.

THE

all the above injunctions are of such a nature, that they not only war against their heathenish propensities, but even against what some might call excusable indulgences; yet it THOUGH

WEST

INDIES.

455

it is a fact, that at this present time, some thousand negroes in Antigua, and other islands, submit to them with willingness. number of converted Negro slaves under the care of the brethren, at the end of the year 1787, was, THE

In Antigua, exactly In St. Kitt’s, a new mission In Barbadoes and Jamaica, about In St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan, about In Surinam, about

5,465 80 100.

10,000 400

living in the West Indies and Surinam 16,045, as nearly as can be ascertained from the latest accounts.”

STILL

SECTION

IV.

MONTSERRAT. O F this little island, neither the extent nor the importance demands a very copious discussion. It was discovered at the fame time with St. Christopher’s, and derived its’ name from a fupposed resemblance which Columbus perceived in the face of the country, to.a mountain of the same name near Barcelona.. name was all that was bellowed upon it by the Spaniards. Like Nevis, it was first planted by a small colony from St. Christopher’s, detached in 1632 from the adventurers under THE

Warner.

CHAP. IV.

456 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

Warner. Their reparation appears indeed to have been partly occasioned by local * attachments and religious dissensions ; which rendered their situation in St. Christopher’s uneasy, being chiefly natives of Ireland, of the Romish persuasion. The fame causes, however, operated to the augmentation of their numbers ; for so many persons of the fame country and religion adventured thither soon after the first settlement, as to create a white population which it has ever since possessed; if it be true, as asserted by Oldmixon, that at the end of sixteen years there were in the island upwards of one thousand white families, constituting a militia of three hundred and sixty effective men. civil history of this little island contains nothing very remarkable. It was invaded by a French force in 1712, and differed so much from the depredations of that armament, that an article was inserted in the treaty of Utrecht for appointing commissioners to enquire into the damages; which, however, were not made good to the sufferers. It was again invaded, and with mod of the other islands captured by the French in the late war,, and restored with the red.

THE

therefore remains but to furnish the reader with an account of its present date in respect of cultivation, productions, and exports.

NOTHING

is about three leagues in length, and as many in breadth, and is supposed to contain about thirty thousand acres of land, of which almost two-thirds are very mountainous, or very barren. The land in cultivation is appropriated nearly as MONTSERRAT

WEST

INDIES,

457

as follows. In sugar, fix thousand acres: In cotton, provisions, and pasturage, two thousand each. None other of the tropical staples are rased. Its average crop from 1784 to 1788, were 2,737 hogsheads of sugar of sixteen hundred weight, 1,107 puncheons of Rum, and 275 bales of cotton. The exports of 1787, and their value at the London market, will be seen in a table annexed to this chapter. They are produced by the labour of one thousand three hundred whites, and about ten thousand negroes. government is administered in this, as in the other islands, by a legislature of its own, under the captain general.

The council consists of six members, and the assembly of eight, two from each of the four districts into which it is divided; and the proportion which Montserrat contributes to the salary of the captain general is &. 400 per annum.

THE

SECTION

VIRGIN

V.

ISLANDS.

OF the Virgin Islands I have so few particulars to communicate, that I fear the reader will accuse me of inattention or idleness in my researches. I have, however, solicited information of those who I thought were most likely to afford it; but if my enquiries were not slighted, my expectations were not graVOL. I.

3 N

tified.

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

458 nBOOK

III.

OF

THE

tified. Even in a late historical account by Mr. Suckling, the chief justice of these islands, I find but little of which I can avail myself. It furnishes no particulars concerning their extent, their cultivation, or their commerce. It is silent as to the number of their prelent English inhabitants. The author is even misinformed as to the origin of their prefect name; for he supposes that it was bellowed upon them in 1580, by Sir Francis Drake, in honour of Queen Elizabeth ; but the fact is, that these islands were named Las Virgines, by Columbus himself, who discovered them in 1493, and gave them this appellation in allusion to the well known legend in the Romish ritual of the 11,000 virgins.

Spaniards of those days, however, thought them unworthy of further notice. A century afterwards (1596) they were visited by the earl of Cumberland, in his way to the attack of Porto Rico, and the historian of that voyage, whose narrative is preserved in Hakluyt’s collection, calls them “ a knot “ of little islands wholly uninhabited, sandy, barren, and crag“ gy.” The whole group may comprehend about forty islands, islots, and keys, and they are divided at present between the English, the Spaniards, and Danes. The English hold Tortola, and Virgin Gorda (e), Josvan Dykes, Guana Isle, Beef and Thatch Islands, Anegada, Nichar, Prickly Pear, Camana’s, Ginger, Cooper’s, Salt Island, Peter’s Island, and several others of little value. The Danes possess Santa Cruz (f), St. Thomas, THE

(e) This last is likewise called Penniston, and corruptly Spanish Town. It has two very good harbours. (f) Ste. Croix, or Santa Cruz, belonged originally to the French, and was sold by them to the Danes, in 1733, for the sum of 75,000 l. Its inhabitants are

chiefly

WEST

INDIES.

459

Thomas, with about twelve smaller islands dependent thereon, CHAP. IV. and St. John, which last is of importance as having the bell: harbour of any island to the leeward of Antigua, and the Spaniards claim Crab Island, the Green or Serpent Island, the Tropic Keys, and Great and Little Passage. first possessors of such of these islands as now belong to the British government, were a party of Dutch Bucaniers who fixed themselves at Tortola (in what year is not recorded) and built a fort there for their protection. In 1666, they were driven out by a stronger party of the fame adventurers, who, calling themselves English, pretended to take possession for the crown of England, and the English monarch, if he did not commission the enterprize, made no scruple to claim the benefit: of it; for Tortola and its dependencies were soon afterwards; annexed to the Leeward Island government, in a commission granted by King Charles II. to Sir William Stapleton, and I believe that the English title has remained unimpeached from that time to this.

THE

Dutch had made but little progress in cultivating the country when they were expelled from Tortola ; and the chief merit of its subsequent improvements was reserved for some English settlers from the little island of Anguilla, who,about a century past, embarked with their families and fettled in the Virgin Islands. Their wants were few, and their government THE

chiesly English, and the lands being exceedingly fertile, the produce of this little island (mot of which I believe is smuggled into Great Britain as the produce of Tortola) is very considerable, particularly sugar.

3 N 2

simple

HISTORY

460

BOOK III.

OF

THE

simple and unexpensive. The deputy governor, with a council nominated from among themselves, exercised both the legislative and judicial authority, determining, in a summary manner, without a jury, all questions between subject and subject ; and as to taxes, there seem to have been none laid : when money was absolutely necessary for publick use, it was raised, I believe, by voluntary contribution. such a system, it was impossible that the colony could attain to much importance. It wanted the advantage of English capitals; but credit is sparingly given where payment cannot easily be enforced. The inhabitants therefore, whole numbers in 1756, amounted to 1,263 whites, and 6,121 blacks, reasonably hoped to be put on the fame footing with the lifter islands, by the establishment of a perfect civil government, and constitutional courts of justice among them; but in this expectation they were not gratified until the year 1773. In that year, they presented an humble petition to the captain-general of the Leeward Island government, requesting his; excellency to unite with them in an application to his Majesty, for permission to elect an assembly of representatives out of the freeholders and planters, in order that such assembly, with the governor and council, might frame proper laws for their peace, welfare, and good government; pledging themselves, in that case, to grant to his Majesty, his heirs and successors, an impost of four and a half per centum, in specie, upon all goods and commodities the growth of these islands, similar to that which was paid in the other Leeward Islands.

UNDER

THEIR

WEST

INDIES.

461

application (thus sweetened) proved successful. It CHAP. IV. was signified to them that his Majesty, fully considering the persons, circumstances, and condition of his said Virgin Islands, and the necessity there was, from the then state of their culture and inhabitancy, that some adequate and perfect form of civil government should be established therein; “ and finally trusting “ that his faithful subjects in his said Virgin Islands, who “ should compose the new assembly, would, as the first ad of “ legislation, cheerfully make good the engagement of granting “ to his Majesty, his heirs and successors, the impost of four “ and a half per centum, on all the produce of the Virgin “ Islands, to be raised and paid in the fame manner as the “ four and a half per centum is made payable in the other “ Leeward Islands” did cause his royal pleasure to be fignified to the governor in chief, that he should issue writs in his Majesty’s name, for convening an assembly or house of representatives, who, together with a council, to be composed of twelve persons, to be appointed by the governor for that purpose, might frame and pass such laws as should be necessary for the welfare and good government of the said Islands.

THEIR

on the 30 th of November, 1773, the governor in chief of the Leeward Islands, in obedience to his Majesty’s orders, issued a proclamation for convening an assembly or house of representatives of the Virgin Islands, who met on the 1 st of February following, and very honourably complied with their engagement to the crown ; the very first ad passed by them being the grant before mentioned of four and a half ter centum, on the produce of the colony for ever. They afterwards 9 ACCORDINGLY,

HISTORY

462 BOOK III.

OF

THE

wards passed a grant of ÂŁ. 400 currency per annum, as their proportion towards the salary of the governor-general. was the price at which the Virgin Islands purchased the establishment of a constitutional legislature. If it be difficult to reconcile this precedent with the doctrines which have been maintained in the cafe of Grenada, it may perhaps be said (as I believe the fact was) that the inhabitants of these islands were unapprised of the rights which they inherited as British subjects, when they voluntarily proposed to subject themselves and their posterity to the tax in question for permission to enjoy them ; and their posterity may perhaps dispute the authority which their forefathers exercised on this occasion.

SUCH

chief, and almost the only staple productions of these islands are sugar and cotton. Of the quantity of land appropriated to the cultivation of either, I have no account, nor can I venture even to guess, at the quantity of unimproved land which may yet be brought into cultivation: Tortola itself is not more than fifteen miles long, and fix miles broad: the exports of 1787 will presently be given, and I have only to add, that they were raised by the labour of about one thousand two hundred whites, and nine thousand blacks.

THE

HAVING so far treated of the several islands which constitute what is called the Leeward Island Government, as they stand disrinct from each other, I close my account, as in former cafes, with an authentick Table of their Returns for 1787 ; after which, I shall, as proposed, offer a few observations on circumstances which are common to them all.

2

An

WEST

INDIES.

463

IN

HISTORY

464

BOOK

III.

OF

THE

IN surveying these islands collectively, the circumstance that first presents itself to notice is the burthen of the four and half per centum on their exported produce, to which they are all subject equally with Barbadoes, and which, though granted by their own assemblies, was in most other cafes, as well as the Virgin Islands, the price of a constitutional legislature, and a communication of the common privileges of British subjects. would without doubt be satisfactory to the reader to be furnished with an account of the produce of this duty, and the particulars of its disposal, but no such information, to my knowledge, has of late years been given to the publick. The last return that I am possessed of, is dated so long ago as the year 1735. From thence it appears, that the whole money collected on this account, both in Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, in twenty-one years, (from Christmas 1713 to Christmas 1734) amounted to £. 326,529. 2s. 3d¼. sterling, of which it is 140,032. 13s. shameful to relate that no more than was paid into the British Exchequer; upwards of £. 80,000 having been retained in the Islands for the charges of collecting, and £. 105,000 more, expended in Great Britain in the payment of freight, duties, commissions, fees of office, and other claims and deductions (g).

IT

(g)

Some years after this, a new mode of collecting the duties was, I believe, adopted, which rendered the tax more productive to government.

FROM

WEST

INDIES.

465

the net money paid into the exchequer, the Governor General of these islands receives a salary of £. 1,200 sterling, exclusive of the several sums granted him by the colonial assemblies (g), and I believe that salaries are allowed from the same fund to the Lieutenant General, and the several Lieutenant Governors. I have been informed too, that the Governors of the Bahama and Bermudas islands are likewise paid out of this duty. The balance which remains, after these and some other deductions are made, is wholly at the king’s disposal.

FROM

it is impossible not to observe, that almost all the islands within this government, as well as Barbadoes, have been, for many years past, progressively on the decline; and it is therefore probable that the present net produce of this duty is not more than sussicient to defray the several incumbrances with which it is loaded. The negroes indeed have been kept up, and even augmented, by purchase, because, as the lands have become impoverished, they have required a greater expence of labour to make them any way productive; but as the returns have not increased in the same degree, nothing could have saved the planters from ruin, but the advanced prise of sugar in the markets of Europe.

BUT

IT

appears from authentick accounts laid before parliament,

(g) Thefe grants are as follow: Antigua and St. Christopher’s £. 1000 currency each. Nevis £. 400. Montserrat £. 400. Virgin Islands £. 400.

The usual rate of exchange is 165 per cent. These sums therefore, added to £. 1200 sterling, paid out of the exchequer, make his whole salary £. 3000 sterling per annum.

VOL. I.

30

that

CHAP. IV.

HISTORY

466

OF

THE

BOOK that the import of sugar into Great Britain from all the British III. Weft Indies (Jamaica excepted) has decreased, in the course of twenty years from 3,762,804 cwt. to 2,563,228 cwt. (b).

The difference in value, at a medium price, cannot be left than ÂŁ. 400,000 sterling, and it will be found to have fallen chiefly on those islands which are subject to the duty in question ; to the effects of which, therefore, the deficiency must be chiefly attributed: for being laid, not on the land, but on the produce of the land, it operates as a tax on industry, and a penalty which falls heaviest on the man who contributes mod to augment the wealth, commerce, navigation, and revenues of the mother-country. It is considered by the planters as equal to ten per cent. on the net produce of their estates for ever.

Under such a burthen, which while it oppresses the colonies, yields a profit of no great consideration to the crown, they have been unable to stand a competition with the British planters in the other islands, and have been depressed still more by the rapid growth and extensive opulence of the French colonies in their neighbourhood. Thus a check has been given to the spirit of improvement, and much of that land which, though somewhat impoverished by long cultivation, would still, with the aid of manure, contribute greatly to the general returns, is abandoned, because the produce of the poorest soil is taxed as high as that of the most fertile.

To the loss arising from a decrease of produce, accompanied with an increase of contingent expences, must be added the ruinous effects of capture in the late American war. The (h)

Being the average of two periods, the first from 1772 to 1775, the second from 1788 to 1792.

damages

WEST

INDIES.

467

damages sustained in St. Christopher's alone, by De Grasses CHAP. IV. invasion in 1782, from the destruction of negroes and cattle, and the burning of the canes, were estimated at ÂŁ. 160,000 sterling, which sum was made up to the sufferers by a polltax on the slaves, of no less than forty shillings. The annual taxes for defraying the current charges of their internal governments, in all the islands, are also exceedingly burthensome ; besides parish taxes for the repair of the roads, the maintenance of the clergy, and the relief of the poor. under all these and the other discouragements which are felt by the proprietors, the wealth which still flows from these little dependencies into the mother-country, must fill every reflecting mind with surprise and admiration. An extent of cultivated territory, not equal to one-tenth part of the county of Essex, adding yearly one million and a half to the national income, is a circumstance that demonstrates beyond all abstract reasoning, the vast importance to Great Britain of having sugar islands of her own. At the same time, it is both amusing and instructive to consider how little the present returns from these islands are answerable to the hopes and expectations of their first European possessors ; or rather it affords an animated illustration of the wisdom of Providence, which frequently renders the follies and weaknesses of man productive of good.

The first English adventurers were influenced wholly by the hopes of opening a golden fountain, similar to that which was flowing from Peru and Mexico into Spain. The nation was told of countries where the mountains were composed of diamonds, and the cities built wholly of ingots of gold. Such 3 O 2 were BUT,

HISTORY

468

BOOK

III.

OF

THE

were the dreams of Cabot, Frobisher, and Gilbert, and it is a lamentable display of the power of avarice on the human mind, to behold the sagacious and learned Raleigh bewildered in the same folly ! Experience has at length corrected this frenzy, and Europe is now wise enough to acknowledge that gold and silver have only an artificial and relative value that industry alone is real wealth, and that agriculture and commerce are the great sources of national prosperity. produce of these islands however, though of such value to the mother-country, is raised at an expence to the cultivator, which perhaps is not equalled in any other pursuit, in any country of the globe. It is an expence too, that is permanent and certain; while the returns are more variable and fluctuatTHE

ing than any other ; owing to calamities, to which these countries are exposed, both from the hands of God and man; and it is mournful to add, that the selfish or mistaken policy of man is sometimes more destructive than even the anger of Omnipotence! the time that I write this, (1791) the humanity of the British nation is tremblingly alive to the real or fictitious distresses of the African labourers in these and the other islands of the West Indies : and the holders and employers of thole peoAT

ple seem to be marked out to the publick indignation for proscription and ruin. So strong and universal a sympathy allows no room for the sober exercise of reason, or it would be remembered, that the condition of that unfortunate race, must depend greatly on the condition and circumstances of their owners.

Oppression towards the principal, will be felt with double force by

WEST

469

INDIES.

by his dependants, and the blow that wounds the master, will exterminate the slave... propriety of these remarks will be seen in subsequent parts of my work, when I come in course to treat of the slave trade and slavery ; and to consider the commercial system of Great Britain towards her West Indian dependencies, of which I have now completed the catalogue. Here then I might THE

close the third book of my history, but it has probably occurred to the reader, that I have omitted the two governments of Bahama and Bermudas (i)); to which indeed it was my intention, when I began my work, to appropriate a distinct chapter. An examination of my materials has induced me to alter my purpose; finding myself possessed of scarce any memorials concerning the civil history of those islands, that are not given in the numerous geographical treatises with which the shelves of the booksellers are loaded. To repeat therefore what may be found in books that are always at hand, were to manifest disrespect to the reader, and disregard to myself. Of the present state of the Bahama islands, I need not be ashamed to acknowledge my ignorance, inasmuch as even the lords of the committee of council for the affairs of trade and plantations, were unable to obtain satisfactory information concerning it. To their lordships enquiries, in 1789, as to the extent of territory in those islands,—the quantity of land in cultivation,—the number of

(i) I have asfo passed over unnoticed the small islands of Anguilla and Barbuda, as being of too little importance to merit particular description. The former belongs to the Leeward Island government; the latter is the private property of the Codrington family.

X

white

CHAP. IV.

470 BOOK III.

HISTORY

OF

THE

white inhabitants,—productions and exports, &c. the only answer that could be obtained from the Governor was this, that

it was at that time impossible to ascertain any,of those particulars.

It appears, however, from the testimony of other persons, that these islands in general are rocky and barren ; that the only article cultivated for exportation is cotton, of which the medium export is fifteen hundred bags of two owt.; that the inhabitants (who in 1773 confided of two thousand and fifty-two whites, and two thousand two hundred and forty-one blacks) have been of late years considerably augmented by emigrants from North America; but of their present numbers no precise account is given.

CONCERNING

Bermudas Governor Brown is more explicit.

From his answers to their Lordships’ queries, it appears that they contain from twelve to thirteen thousand acres of very poor land, of which nine parts in ten are either uncultivated, or reserved in woods for the supplying of timber for building small ships, sloops, and shallops for sale; this being in truth the principal occupation and employment of the inhabitants; and the vessels which they furnish, being built of cedar, are light, buoyant, and unexpensive. the land in cultivation, no part was appropriated to any other purpose than that of raising Indian corn, and esculent roots and vegetables (of which a considerable supply is sent to the West Indian Islands) until the year 1785, when the growth of cotton was attempted, but with no great success, there not being at present more than two hundred acres applied in this OF

line of culture.

§

THE

WEST

INDIES.

471

THE number of white people of all ages in Bermudas is five CHAP. IV, thousand four hundred and sixty-two ; of blacks four thousand nine hundred and nineteen (k). it appears that the lands become less fertile as we recede from the tropicks, and were there not, as there certainly is, an unaccountable propensity in the greater part of mankind, to under-rate what they have in actual possession, it would require but little effort to convince the publick of the vast importTHUS

ance of our West Indian dependencies ; of which the progressive growth has now been traced from the first settlement.

What remains is to convey that conviction to the English reader.

This then, after taking a cursory survey, for the gratification of curiosity, of the present inhabitants and the system of agriculture, will be the chief endeavour of the subsequent volume. (k) It were an act of great injustice to the inhabitants of Bermudas, to omit the very honourable testimony which Governor Brown has transmitted to government, concerning their treatment of their negro slaves. “ Nothing (he observes) can better (hew the slate of slavery in Bermudas than the behaviour of the blacks in the late war. There were at one time between fifteen and twenty privateers fitted out from hence, which were partly manned by negro slaves, who behaved both as sailors and marines irreproachably; and whenever they were captured, always returned, if it was in their power. There were several instances wherein they had been condemned with the vessel and fold, and afterwards sound means to escape ; and through many difficulties and hardships returned to their matters service. In the (hip Regulator, a privateer, there were seventy slaves. She was taken and carried into Boston. Sixty of them returned in a flag of truce directly to Bermudas. Nine others returned by the way of New York. One only was missing, who died in the cruize, or in captivity.�

Report of the Privy Council on the Slave Trade. Part III. THE

END OF

THE

THIRD

BOOK.

APPENDIX TO

VOLUME

VOL. I.

THE

3 P

FIRST.

Plantæ numerosissimæ quibus obvestit globum terraqueum Deus optimum maximus, sunt totidem documenta infinitæ sapientiæ, natæ in gloriam sui Creatoris, et in commodum hominis, cujus est eas intueri.

AMŒN. ACAD. vol. vi. p. 40.

HORTUS

EASTENSIS: OR,

A CATALOGUE of EXOTIC PLANTS, in the Garden of HINTON EAST, Esquire, in the Mountains of Liguanea, in the Island of JABy ARTHUR BROUGHTON, M. D. MAICA, at the time of his decease.

Classis I. MONANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. CANNA AMOMUM

indica var. lutea-

CURCUMA KÆMPFERIA THALIA

longa

Granum paradisi * Zingiber Calanga geniculata

Yellow Indian Shot Guinea Pepper Common Ginger Turmerick Galangale Indian Arrow-root

East-Indies Guinea East-Indies East-Indies East-Indies South-America

Mr. Shakespear, 1780 Tho. Hibbert, Esq, 1785 Z. Bv Edwards, Esq. 1783

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775

Classis II. DIANDRIA. MONOGYNIA.

NYCTANTHES JASMINUM

OLEA

SYRINGA JUSTICIA

DIANTHERA

Arabian Jasmine Sambac var. fl. plena Double Arabian Jasmine Common Jasmine officinale Narrow-leav'd Jasmine lanceolatum ? azoricum Azorian Jasmine odoratissimum Yellow Indian Jasmine europœa European Olive fragrans Sweet-scented Olive vulgaris Common Lilac perfica Persian Lilac sp. nov. arborea americana

American Balsam

East-Indies

H. East, Esq. 1775

East-Indies Madeira Madeira Europe China Persia Persia Italy Virginia

H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1787 M. Wallen, Esq. 1787 M. Wallen, Esq. 1783, H. East, Esq. 1783, M. Wallen Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq. 1785 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787

* This plant has now several times perfected its seed, from which it appears to be the true Guinea or Malagita Pepper and Grains of Paradise of the Shops ; it is not however an AMOMUM, but approaches nearer to the LIWODORUM than any other known Genus.

3 P 2

ROSMARINUS

ROSMARINUS SALVIA

PIPER

EASTENSIS.

HORTUS

476 officinalis officinalis africana coccinea Solarea

Rosemary Garden Sage African Sage Scarlet Sage Clary

nigrum

TRIGYNIA. Black Pepper East-Indies

Europe S. of Europe C. of G. Hope East-Florida Syria

[APPX.

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787

Clap III. TRIANDRIA. MONOGYNIA.

Portugal India. America England C. of G. Hope China S. of Europe C. of G. Hope Austria Dwarf Iris.

C. of G.. Hope Rush-leaved Lygeum Spain,

Lamb’s Lettuce Tamarind Tree Spring Crocus Rode- coloured Ixia Spotted Ixia Common Flag

VALERIANA TAMARINDUS CROCUS

Locusta indica sativus IxiA rosea chinensis communis GLADIOLUS œthiopica ANTHOLYZA pumila IRIS WACHENDORFIA thyrsiflora LYGEUM Sparturn

H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1779 H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1789 M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1788 H, East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1790 H. East, Esq. 1791

DIGYNIA. AVENA ARUNDO HORDEUM

Oats Bamboo Cane * Barley

sativa Bambos vulgare

ciaffis

East-Indies

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

I Y;

TETRANDRIA. MONOGYNIA, SCABIOSA.

RUBIA BUDLEJA PLANTAGO CISSUS OLDENLANDIA ALCHEMILLA ILEX

cretica atropurpurca stellata tinctorum globosa † lanceolata quadrangularis umbellata vulgaris

aquifelium Cassine nov. Sp.

Cretan Scabious Sweet Scabious Starry Scabious Madder Rib-wort Plantain Che Ladies Mantle

Candia Italy Spain S. of Europe Chili Britain India India Britain

TETRAGYNIA, Britain Common Holly Carolina, Paraguay Tea Madeira

H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1788 Mr. Thame, 1790 H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1791 H. East, Esq. 1791 H. East, Esq. 1791 H. East, Esq. 1774.

Mr. Gale, 1772 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787

* This most valuable production is now successfully cultivated in all parts of Jamaica, † Hort. Kewensis, vol. i,. p. 150,.

Classis

to

VOL. the FIRST.]

HORTUS

EASTENSIS.

477

Classis V. PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. HELIOTROPIUM ANCHUSA CYNOGLOSSUM BORAGO

PRIMULA. CYCLAMEN AZALEA PLUMBAGO PHLOX CONVOLVULUS

IPOMOEA CAMPANULA CINCHONA * COFFEA LONICERA

MIRABILIS VERBASCUM DATURA NICOTIANA PHYSALIS

SOM U N A L RHAMNUS DIOSMA MANGIFERA RIBES

peruvianum officinalis officinale officinalis veris auricula persicum viscosa rosea glaberrima Scammonia purpureus major minor tricolor canariensis speclosus Quamoclit rotundifolia arabica Periclymenum Symphoricarpos tartarica Jalapa Thapsus Metel Tabacum Alkekengi tuberosum Melongena Sodomœum ?

Jujuba ciliata indica † grossularia

Peru Peruvian Turnsole Europe Bugloss Britain Hound’s-tongue England Borage Primrose Britain Austria Auricula Persian Cyclamen Candia N. America White Azalea Bengal Bengal Lead-wort Smooth Lychnidea N. America Scammony Bind-weed Levant Large purple Bind-w. America Small purple Bind-w. America Trailing Bind-weed Spain Perennial Bind-weed Canary Islands Broad-leav’d Bind-w. East-Indies Indian Creeper East-Indies Bell-flower Britain Hispaniola Bark Hispaniola Coffee-Tree Arabia Common Honey suckle Britain St Peter’s Wort Carolina Tartarian Honey suckle Russia Marvel of Peru E. and W. Indies Great Mullein Britain Hairy Thorn Apple Africa.

Virginian Tobacco America Winter Cherry S. of Europe Common Potato Peru Egg Plant India Bolangena Africa Jujube-tree East-Indies Ciliated-Diosma C. of Good Hope Mango Tree Eat-Indies Gooseberry Europe

H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1780 H. East, Esq. 1790 H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1787 Mr. Thame, 1787 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq.

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 Mr. Thame, 1790 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773.

H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1779

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1790, H. East, Esq. 1788 Lord Rodney, 1782 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772

* Affinis Cinchona Caribeœ

† The Mango is inserted in its usual Place, although in reality it is Polygamious, and hitherto very imperfectly described.—N. B. This Plant, with several others, as well as different Kinds of Seeds, were sound on board a French Ship (bound from the Isle de France for Hispaniola) taken by Capt. Marshall of his Majesty’s Snip Flora, one of Lord Rodney’s Squadron, in June 1782, and sent as a Prize to this island. By Capt. Marthall, with Lord Rodney’s approbation, the whole Collection was deposited in Mr. East’s Garden, where they have been cultivated with oreat assiduity and success. rubrum

HORTUS EASTENSIS.

478

Red Currant Britain Black Currant Britain Grape Vine vinifera Cockscomb Asia cristata var.

Buff-coloured Cocksc. Asia florida Cape Jasmine China Thunbergia C. of G. Hope Starry Gardenia cathartica Galarips South-America rosea Red Periwinkle East-Indies alba * White Periwinkle Oleanderi fl. rubro Red South-Sea Rose Spain. Portugal White South-Sea Rose fl. alho fl. plena Double Oleander rubrum

nigrum

VITIS CELOSXA GARDENIA ALLAMANDA VINCA NERIUM

[APPX. to M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1774 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1789 Mr. Thame H. East, Esq. 1787

DIGYNIA. ASCLEPIAS STAPELIA BETA DAUCUS GOMPHRENA CORIANDRUM PASTINACA

ANETHUM CAROM PIMPINELLA APIUM CASSINE SAMBUCUS RHUS

fruticosa gigantea variegata hybrida vulgaris Carota globasa sativum sativa graveolens Fœniculum Carvi Anisunt Petroselinum graveolens capensis Ebulus nigra Coriaria typhinum

Shrubby Swallow-wort Africa Auricula Tree Variegated Stapelia C. of G. Hope Europe Mangel Wursel England Common Beet Britain Garden Carrot Globe Amaranth India England Coriander England Garden Parship Dill Spain. Portugal England Fennel Caraway Britain Anise Egypt.

Parsley Sardinia Celery Britain Hottentot Cherry C. of G. Hope Dwarf Elder Britain Black-berried Elder Britain Elm-leav’d Sumach S. of Europe Virginian Sumach Virginia PENTA

LINUM

usitatissimum maritimum

Common Flax Sea Flax

H. East, Esq. Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1790

Mr. Theme, 1787 H. East, Esq. Mr. Thame, 1787 Mr. R. Lloyd, 1787 H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Eq. 1773 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 Mr. Gale, 1773

GYNIA.

Britain Italy

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1788

VI. HEXANDRIA. Classis

MONOGYNIA. TRADESCANTIA NARCISSUS

discolor odorus

†

Honduras Purple Spider-wort Sweet-scented Narciss. S. of Europe

Mr. Shakespeare, 1782 Mr. Thame, 1773

* This Plant first appeared here on a dunghill where the red had been thrown out, and has since continued steady from seed. † Hort. Kewensis, vol. i. ,p. 403.

Taxetta

HORTUS

VOL. the FIRST]

HÆMANTHUS CRINUM

AMARYLLIS

ALLIUM

LILIUM

GLORIOSA TULIPA ORNITHOGALUM ASPHODELUS ASPARAGUS DRACÆNA POLYANTHES

HYACINTHUS ALETRIS YUCCA

ALOE BEKBERIS

EASTENSIS.

Tazetta Jonquilla puniceus Americanum Zeylanicum ?

Asiaticum Africanum Atamasco formosissima reginæ Belladinna aurea longifolia radiata vittaia ascalonicum gracile * sativum Porrum Cepa bulbiferum pomponium Chalcedomicum Martagon superba gesneriana

Polyanthus Narcissus Spain. Portugal Jonquil Spain Blood-Flower Guinea American Crinum S. America Ceylon Crinum East-Indies Indian Crinum East-Indies African blue Lily C. of G. Hope N. America Atamafco Lily S. America Jacobea Lily S. America Mexican Lily S. America Belladonna Lilly China Golden Amaryllis Long-leav’d Amaryllis C. of G. Hope Snow-drop Amaryllis Striped Lilly Asia Jerusalem Shallot Africa African Garlick Garlick Leek Onion Italy Orange Lily Siberia Pomponian Lily Scarlet Martagon Lily Levant Purple Martagon Lily America East-Indies Superb Lily Levant Tulip

pyrenaicum

Star of Bethlehem

nutans Neapolitan D° ramosus Branchy Asphodel officinalis Arparagus Draco Dragon Tree ferrea, Purple Dracaena tuberosa fl. pleno Tuberose orientalis Hyacinth capensis Cape- Aletris Ceylon Aloe hyacinthoides gloriosa Superb Aloe aloifolia. draconis perfoliata var. barbad. Barbadoes Aloe vulgaris Berbery

England

sativa

RUMEX

obtusifolius

Mr. Thame, 1773 Mr. Thame, 1773 H. Eat, Esq. 1783

H. East, Esq. 1770 H. East, Esq. M. W allen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1790 M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1785 H. East, Esq. 1789 H. East, Esq. 1789 H. East, Esq. 1789 H. East, Esq. Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775.

H. East, Esq. 1774.

H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1790 Mr. Thame, 1789 H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1782

Italy S. of Europe England East-Indies China Eat-Indies Levant C. of G. Hope Ceylon N. America.

South-America South-Carolina

H. East, Esq. 1782 H. East, Esq. 1784

Britain

Mrs. Brodbelt, 1770

DIGYNIA. Common Rice

ORYZA

479

TRIG Y AT / A. Britain Biunt-Ieav’d Dock

Dr. Tho..Clarke, 1773 H. East, Esq. 1787 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. : 1790 Dr. Lindsay

M. Wallen, Esq.

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773,

* Hurt. Kevsensis, vol. i. p. 429 ; said to be a native of Jamaica, but erroneously.

1

Classis

480

HORTUS

EASTENSIS.

[APPX.

to

Classis VII. HEPTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. ÆSCULUS

Hippocastanum flava Pavia

Asia Horse Chesnut Yellow-flower’d Chef. N. Carolina Scarlet-flower’d Chef. N. America

Mrs. Broabelt, 1770 H. East, Esq. 1790 M. Wallen, Esq. 1774

Classis VIII. OCTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. TROPÆOLUM

MELICOCCA XIMENIA FUCHSIA

LAWSONIA VACCINIUM ERICA OENOTHERA Nov. GEN. †

minus bijuga inermis triphylla inermis spinosa Arctostaphylos multiflora pumila

Indian Cress Genip Smooth Ximenia Scarlet Fuchsia Smooth Lawsonia Prickly Lawsonia Mada. Whortle-Berry Many-flower’d Heath Dwarf Primrose The Akee

Peru South-America East-Indies Chili Africa East-Indies Madeira S. of Europe N. America Africa

M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1784 H. East, Esq. Mons. Nectoux *, 1789 H. East, Esq. 1785 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 M. Wallen, Esq. 1784 M. Wallen, Esq. Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1778

TRYGINTA. * Botanist to the French King at Hispaniola. † This Plant was brought here in a Slave Ship from the Coast of Africa, and now grows very luxuriant, producing every Year large Quantities of Fruit ; feveral Gentlemen are encouraging the Propagation of it. I do not know that it has hitherto been described ; it’s Characters are as follows: Perianthium pentaphyllum inferum, foliolis ovatis acutis concavis, persistentibus villosis.

CAL. Petala quinaue oblongo-lanceolata, acuta, villosa, ad basin sursum flexa et receptaculo adpressa, COR. calyce alterna et eo longiora.

STAM. Filamenta octo brevissima, pilosa, ad basin Germinis receptaculo glanduloso inserta. Antheræ oblongse in orbem circa Germen diqpoqitæ et ejusdem fere longitudinis.

Germen subovatum triquetrum pilofum. Stylus longitudine Germinis, cylindricus, pilosus.

PIST. Stigma obtusum.

Capsula carnosa, oblonga, utrinque obtua, trigona, trilocularis, trivalvis, apice dehiscens.

PER. SEM. Tria, orbicularia, nitida, appendice aucta.

Arbor hæc quinquaginta pedes altitudine plerumque superat ; Truncus cortice subfusco scabro tegitur ramis numerosis longis crassis irregularibus, inferioribus ad terram fere dependentibus. Folia habet pinnata, foliolis ovato-lanceolatis venois integerrimis oppositis laevibus superne nitidis, spithamæis, utrinque quatuor vel quinque, petiolis brevibus tumidis. Racemi simplices stricti, multiflori axillares, longitudine fere pinnarum, pedunculis propriis unifloris, stipulis lanceclatis, rufo-tomentosis, persistentibus. Flores parvi albidi inodori. Fructus magnitudinis ovi anserini, colore flavo, rubro, * aurantiaco,

VOL.

HORTUS

the. FIRST.]

EASTENSIS.

481

TRIGYNIA SAPIN'DUP

Litchi Plumb

eduIis

China

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775

Classis IX. ENNEANDRIA. MOKOGYNIA. LAURUS

Cinnamomum *

Camphora nobilis indicæ fætens Benzoin Borbonia Sassaphras

Cinnamon Tree Camphire Tree Sweet Bay-Tree Royal Bay-Tree Madeira Laurel Benjamin Tree Carolina Bay-Tree Sassaphras Tree

Ceylon Japan Italy Madeira Madeira Virginia Carolina N. America

Lord Rodney, 1782.

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775.

Mr. Kuckan, 1770 H. East, Esq. 1788 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 Mr. Gale, 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

TRIGYNIA. RHEUM

rhaponticum palmatum

Bassard Rhubarb True Rhubarb

Alia China

Mr. Thame, 1786 Mr. Thame, 1786

Classis X. DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. BAUHINIA

CASSIA POINCIANA GUILANDINA

purpurea Purple Bauhinia scandens Climbing Bauhinia Variegated Bauhinia variegata Senna Senna Tree Fistula Sweet Cassia pulcherrima var fl.flavo Yellow Flower-fence

Moringa †.

Horse-radish Tree

East-Indies East-Indies East-Indies Ægypt E. & W. Indies

H. H. H. H.

Honduras East-Indies

Mr. Shakespeare, 1788 H. East, Esq. 1784

East, Esq. East, Esq. East, Esq. East, Esq.

1790 1790 1790 1787

RUTA

aurantiaco, vel ex utrisque mixto. Semina tria nitida nigra magnitudinis Nucis moschatæ, quorum unum sæpissime abortit. Semin i singulo adnascitur materies albida (Semen magnitudine excedens) consistentiæ pinguedinis bovinae et aqua leniter cocta Medullas haud absimilis. Ab Incolis in Guinea ad menas apponitur vel per le vel Jusculo vel Pulmento elixa.

This Tree will doubtlefs, in a few years, become a very valuable Acquisition to the Iliand: fome * samples of the Bark lately sent to England prove it to be the true Ceylon Cinnamon, and of the bell Kind. It is now cultivated with great Attention in many parts of the Island. † This Tree has hitherto been generally considered as a species of the Genus Guilandina, but. very erroneously, as will appear from the following characters : VOL. I. CAL. 3 Q

HORTUS

482 RUTA. MELIA QUASSIA

KALMIA RHODODENDRON.

ARBUTUS

EASTENSIS.

Garden Rue Bead-Tree Bitter Quassia Broad-leav’d Kalmia Narrow-leav’d Kalmia

[APPX. to

S. of Europe Eaft-Indies Guiana N. America N. America

M. Wallen, Esq.

maximum

N. America

H. East, Esq. 1786

pcnticum Unedo

Gibraltar Ireland

H. East, Esq. 1786 H. East, Esq. 1785

graveolens Azederach amara latifolia angustifolia

Strawberry Tree

Mons. Nectoux, 1789 H. East, Esq. 1786 H. East, Esq. 1786

DIGYNIA. SAXIFRAGA

DIANTHUS

umbrosa barbatus taryophyllus var.

Chinensis superbus

Nov. GEN.*

London-Pride Sweet-William Pink Clove July-flower Carnation China Pink Superb Pink Mandarin Orange

England Europe England

M. Wallen, Esq. 1789 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772

China France East-Indies

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1788.

TRYGY-

Perianthium pentaphyllum, foliolis oblongis obtufis concavis, tribus superioribus reflexis, duobus inferioribus patentibus.

Petala quinque. Petala duo superiora magnitudine foliolorum calycis, plana obtusa reflexa COR. obovata ; lateralia duo paulo majora concava obovata lunata minus reflexa ; inferius spatulatoobovatum obtusum concavum, Iateralibus majus, et genitalibus approximatum, patens.

STAM. Filamenta novem, quorum quinque tantum fertilia, ad basin crassa villosa, versus apices contorta, longitudine inaequalia, antheras quinque bicapsulares subrotundæ. Sterilia quatuor minora longitudine etiam inaequalia, antheris minimis vel nullis, omnia petalis fere dimidio breviora, Germen oblongum. Stylus filiformis leviter curvatus, petalis et staminibus longior. Stigma PIST. acutum. longum triangulare trivalve, utrinque acutum.

PER. trialatum, alis lineis oblongis sibi invicem junctis. Nux fragilis rotunda. Nucleo rotundo SEM. trisulcato.

Arbor viginti pedalis, cortice cinereo ; Rami patentes numerosi. Folia tri vel quadripinnata sesquipedalia, foliolis ovalibus obtusis tri-linearibus teneris integerrimis pedicellatis ; glandula parva pedicellata intra singulas foliolorum divisiones. Racemi axillares semipedales, calycis foliola subcarnea, petalis albis ad basin leviter purpureis. Pericarpium pedale sulcatum, angulis acutis. Calycis foliola et petala sæpe irregulariter reflexa et numero varia, fed Petalum inferius semper rectum et genitalibus approximatum. * This Shrub has been introduced into our Gardens here from England under the above Title, but I do not know on what Authority : the following are it’s Characters, as nearly as I have been able to ascertain them.

CAL. Perianthium pentaphyllum inferum, foliolis parvis ovatis erectis.

COR. Petala quinque, laciniis ovatis vel subrotundis, erectis inferis, calyce duplo longioribus.

STAM. Filamenta decem circa Germen compressa, erecta, longitudine Corollæ. Anthers parvas simpliees.

CAL.

PIST,

HORTUS

VOL. the FIRST.]

EASTENSIS.

483

TRIGYNIA. Lobel’s Catchfly

SLLENE

Armeria

SPONDIAS

PENTAGYATA. South-Sea Plum Asia Rose Campion coronaria Italy Evergreen Orpine Anacampseros S. of France

AGROSTEMMA

SEBUN

England

Classis

H. East, Esq. 1773.

Lord Rodney, 1782 H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1791

XI.

DODECANDRIA. PORTULACA

triangularis

HALESIA GARCINIA

tetraptera cornea ? *

RESEDA

odorata

MONOGYNIA. Triangular-stalked St. Vincent Purslane Carolina Snow-drop Tree Small Mangostein East-Indies TRIGYNIA. Ægypt Mignionette Classis

CACTUS

PHILADELPHUS EUGENIA

Tho. Hibbert. Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1789 Lord Rodney, 1782

M. Wallen, Esq, 1773

XII.

ICOSANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Cochineal Cactus cachinillifer South-America Mons. Nectoux, 1789 Spanish Gooseberry South-America Pereskia Dwarf Syringa S. of Europe coronarius H. East, Esq. Sweet-scented Syringa New Zealand aromaticus H. East, Esq. 1787 India Rose-Apple Jambos Z. Bayly, Esq. 1762

Germen subrotundum. Stylus vix ullus. Stigma compressum.

Bacca lucida membrano tenui obtecta, pulpa paucissima.

PER. SEM. Duo, membrano proprio tecta, striata, pisi magnitudine, ita ut duo applicata sphærum constituunt, et sorte semen unicum in duo fissile.

Frutex quatuor pedalis inordinate ramosa, folia petiolata lanceolata-ovata alterna glabra integerrima j flores axillares congesti subsessiles. Corolla alba. Germen facie æmulat fructum juniorem Citri Aurantii.

PIST.

* This Tree was at first supposed to be the true Mangostein, but having perfected it’s fruit, on comparison with the description given of the true Mangostein, we judge it to be the G. cornea. Male and Hermaphrodite flowers are found on the fame Tree.

3 Q 2

MYRTUS

HORTUS

484 MYRTUS

TUNICA

AMYGDALUS

PRUNUS

Cs.VMGE'S

MESPILUS PYRUS

MESEMBRYAN-

EASTENSIS,

commnnis var. romana Broad-leav’d Myrtle belgica Dutch Myrtle Narrow-leaved Myrtle Granatum ft. plena Dble. flower’d Pomegr.

Perstra Peach Tree var. Nectarina Necterine Tree Almond Tree communis Apricot Tree Avmeniaca Cerasus Cherry Tree domestica Plum Tree

Oxymntha Crus Galli

germanica Pyracantha Malus communis Cydonia crystallinum

[APPX. to

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 Spain Africa England England

DIGYNIA. Hawthorn Britain Cockspur Hawthorn N. America PENTAGYNIA. Dutch Medlar England Evergreen Thorn Italy Apple Tree Britain Pear Tree England Quince Tree Germany Ice-Plant Greece

M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. Dr. Tho. Clarke Mr. Kuckan, 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. ' M. Wallen, Esq.

H. East, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq.

H. East, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1787

THEMUM SPIRAEA

ROSA

Ulmaria

lutea cinnamomea centifolia

damascena gallica muscosa moschata

TIUBUS

FERAGARIA

Meadow-Sweet

Britain

POLYGYNIA. Yellow Austrian Rose Germany S. of Europe Cinnamon Rose Hundred-leav’d Rose Spain Damask Rose France S. of Europe Red Rose France Mos6 Rose Italy Musk Rose White Rose Europe Britain Sweet-Brier-Rose

alba rubiginosa idæus var. ruber Red Raspberry albus White Raspberry vesca var. chiloens. Chili Strawberry pratens. Hautboy Strawberry

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772

H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq.

Britain Britain

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

Chili Britain

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772

Classis

VOL. the FIRST.]

HORTUS

EASTENSIS.

485

Classis

XIII. POLYANBRIA.

ACONITUM

Napellus

MONOGYNIA. Italy Caper Shrub Britain Red Poppy China Green-Tea Tree China Bohea Tea-Tree Molucca: Islands Clove Tree Portugal Poplar-leav’d Cistus Portugal Hoary-leav’d Cistus Curled-leav’d Cistus Portugal Plantain-leav’d Cistus Portugal Great-flower’dLarksp. Siberia Branching Larkspur England Siberia Bee Larkspur China Chinese Larkspur France Wolfsbane

AQUILEGIA

vulgaris damascena

PENTAGYNIA. Columbine Flower Britain Fennel Flower Spain

spinosa Rhœas viridis THEA Bohea CARYOPHYLLUS aromaticus * CISTUS populifolius incanus crispus Tuberaria grandiflorum DELPHINIUM Consolida elatum

CAPPARIS PAPAVER.

NIGELLA

floridanum ILLTCIUM LIRIODENDRON Tulipifera MAGNOLIA

grandiflora glauca acuminata

ANNONA ANEMONE

ATRAGENE CLEMATIS ADONIS

RANUNCULUS

hortensis indica Flammula autumnalis auricomus

POLYGYNIA. Aniseed Tree Florida Tulip Tree N. America Laurel-leav’d Magnol. Carolina Swamp Magnolia N. America Blue. Magnolia N. America S. America Cherimoya Italy Garden Anemone S. America S. of France Virgin’s Bower England Flos Adonis Britain Wood Crowfoot

Classis

H. East, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1773 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 Mr. Baker, 1771 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1789 H. East, Esq. 1779 H. East, Esq. 1779 H. East, Esq. 1779 H. East, Esq. 1779 H. East, Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772, M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1773

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772

H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1776 Mr. Gale, 1772, Mr. Gale, 1772 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1786 M, Wallen, Esq, 1773 H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

XIV.

DIDYNAMIA. GYMNOSPERMIA. SATUREJA HYSSOPUS NEPETA LAVANDULA

hortensis officinalis Cataria Spica

Garden Savory Hyssop Catmint Common Lavender

Italy S. of Europe Britain S. of Europe

K East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1774

* Two of these Plants were presented to Doctor Clarke by Monsieur Nectoux, from the King’s Garden at Port au Prince ; they appeared in a very luxuriant. State of Growth on their Arrival, but have since died, LAVANDULA

486 LAVANDULA SIDEPARIS MENTEA

GLECOMA BETONICA

MARRUBIUM ORIGANUM

HORTUS Stadias

dentata multifida candicans viridis piperita Pulegium hederacea officinalis vulgare Onites Majorana

THYMUS

vulgaris

MELISSA

mastichina, officinalis Ruyschiana

DRACOCEPHA-

EASTENSIS.

French Lavender Tooth’d-leav’d Lav. Canary Lavender Iron-wort Spear-Mint Pepper-Mint Pennyroyal Ground Ivy Wood Betony Horehound Pot Marjoram Sweet Marjoram Garden Thyme Mastick Thyme Balm

S. of Europe S. of Europe Canary Islands Madeira England England Britain Britain Britain Britain Sicily

Moldavica Basilicum

Moldavian Balm Sweet Basil

to

H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1787 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1784 LL East, Esq.

H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq,

Italy Spain Britain Sweden

H. East, Esq.

Moldavia Persia

M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 M. Wallen, Esq.

LUM

OCYMUM

[APPX.

H. East, Esq. 1788

ANGIOSPERMIA. ANTIRRHINUM DIGITALIS

BIGNONIA BROWALLIA SESAMUM BARLERIA VITEX PEDALIUM MELIANTHUS

majus asarina purpurea ambigua Catalpa data orientate prionites Agnus Caflus Murex major

Snap-dragon Toad-flax Purple Fox-glove Yellow Fox-glove Trumpet-flower Upright Browallia Vanglo, or Oil Plant Thorny Barleria Chafte Tree Prickly-fruited Pedal.

Honey-flower

Classis

England Italy Britain Switzerland Carolina Peru East-Indies India Sicily East-Indies C. of G. Hope

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1784 H. East, Esq. 1788 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1773 H. East, Esq. 1788 Monf. Nectoux, 1789 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1784

XV.

TETRADYNAMIA. SILICULOS A. LEPIDIUM COCHLEARIA IBERIS ALYSSUM LUNARIA

latifolium sativum officinalis Armoracia umbellata halimifolium incanum annua

Pepper-wort Garden Cress Scurvy-grass Horse-radish Candy-tust Sweet Alysson Hoary Alysson Honesty

Britain Germany Britain England S. of Europe Italy Italy Germany

H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1773 H. H. H. H,

East, East, East, East,

Esq. 1775 Esq.1774 Esq. 1788 Esq. 1773

SILIQUOSA.

VOL. the

HORTUS

FIRST.]

SISYMBRIUM CHEIRANTHUS

HESPERIS SINAPIS BRASSICA

Nasturtium Cheiri incanus annum tristis alba nigra Rapa oleacea var. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

RAPHANUS

sativus var. 1.

2.

EASTENSIS.

SILIQUOSA. Water-cress Britain Wall-flower Britain Queen’s Stock Italy Ten-week Stock Spain Night-smelling Rocket Hungary White Muftard Britain Britain Black Mustard Turnep England England Common Cabbage Red Cabbage Savoy Cabbage Cauliflower Brocoli Turnep-rooted Cabbage China Garden Radifli Turnep Radish Black Radish

Classis

487

M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 M. Wallen, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1772 H. East, Esq. 1772 M. Walien, Esq.

XVI.

MONADELPHIA. PENTANDRIA. GERANIUM-

malacoides alchimilloides coriandrifolium zonale quercifolium Radula vitifolium rapitatum betulinum Bohemicum hevigatum Hermannifolium palmatum

PENTAPETES

phœnicea

ADANSONIA

digitata indica rosea capenfis crispa rotundifolia thuringiaca

SIDA ALCEA MALVA

LAVATERA

Mallow-leav’d Geran.

Mantle-leav’d Geran.

Coriander-leav’d Ger. Horse-shoe Geran.

Oak-leav’d Geran.

Balm-scented Geran.

Rose-scented Geran.

Birch-leav’d Geran.

S. of Europe C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope C. of G. Hope

DODECANDRIA. Scarlet Pentapetes East-Indies POLYANDRIA. Monkies-Bread Senegal India Indian Mallow China Holly-hock C. of G. Hope Cape Mallow Curl’d Mallow Syria Dwarf Mallow Britain Great-flower’d Lav. Hungary

H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1778 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 Dr. The. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1774.

H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1774 Capt, Jones M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 HIBISCUS

HORTUS

488 HIBISCUS

CAMELLIA

populneus mutabilis Rosa sinensis syriacus ficulneus Trionum Sabdariffa japonica

EASTENSIS.

Poplar-leav’d Hibisc.

Changeable Roe China Rose Althaea frutex Fig-Ieav’d Hibiscus Bladder Hibiscus Sorrel Hibiscus Japan Rose

Classis

East Indies East Indies China Syria Ceylon C. of G. Hope India; Japan

[APPX.

H. Eaft, Esq. 1784 M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1787

XVIII.

DIADELPHIA. ERITHRINA SPARTIUM

GENISTA ULEX CROTALARIA

herbaca

grandiflora junceum scoparium monospermum candicans

europæus capensis juncea retusa

CROTALARIA

verrucosa pallida * laburnifolia quinquefolia

ONONIS

ARACHIS LUPINUS

PHASEOLUS DOLICHOS

rotundifolia hypogaea albus varius angustifolius luteus vulgaris

Lablab sinensis

GLYCINE CLITORIA PISUM

LATHYRUS

VICIA CYTISUS ROBINIA

triloba ternatea

fl. albo sativum odoratus var. tingitanus latifolius Faba Laburnum Cajan hispida grandifla

DECANDRIA. Mr. Gale, r 773, Herbaceous Coral-tree Carolina H. East, Esq. Large flowering C. tree M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 S. of Europe Spanish Broom M. Wallen, Esq. Britain Common Broom M. Wallen, Esq. White-flower’d Broom Portugal H. East, Esq. 1788 S. of Europe Hoary Genista M. Wallen, Esq. Furze or Whin Britain C. of G. Hope H. East, Esq. 1782 Cape Furze Dr. Tho. Clarke China Chinese Crotalaria Wedge-leav’d Crot. East-Indies H. East, Esq. East-Indies Blue flower’d Crot.

Pale-ftower’d Crotal. Africa Dr. Tho. Clark, 1773.

H. East, Esq. 1791 Asia Shrubby Crotalaria H. East, Esq. 1791 India H. East, Esq. 1791 Switzerland Earth Nuts or Pindars South-America M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 White Lupine M. Wallen, Esq, 1773 Sicily Blue Lupine H. East, Esq. 1780 Narrow-leav’d Lupine Spain Sicily M, Wallen, Esq. 1773 Yellow Lupine India Kidney-Bean H. East, Esq. 1789 Black-seeded Dolichos Ægypt H. East, Esq. 1789 Chinese Dolichos East-Indies H. East, Esq. 1791 India Blue Clitoria East-Indies White Clitoria S. of Europe Garden Pea Sicily M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 S weet Pea Painted Lady Pea Ceylon H. East, Esq. 1781 Africa Tangier Pea H. East, Esq. 1781 England Broad-leav’d Pea H. East, Esq. 1781 Garden Bean Ægypt Common Laburnum .Anstria M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 East-Indies Pigeon Pea Rose-Acacia Carolina H. East, Esq. 1786 Large-flower’d Acacia East-Indies H. East, Esq. 1782 * Hart. Kew. vol. iii. p. 20.

3

ROBINI

to

VOL.

the

HORTUS

FIRST.]

ROBINIA CORONILLA

ÆESCHYNOMENE

HEDYSARUM GALEGA LOTUS

MEDICAGO

EASTENSIS.

mitis valentina Shrubby Coronilla arable a Arabian Coronilla Small Coronilla minima grandiflora Pea-Tree Egyptian Pea-Tree Sesban Swamp Pea-Tree aquatic a Moving Plant gyrans Purple Galega purpurea Dark-flower’d Lotus jacobœus polymorpha var. scutellata Snail Medick Hedge-hog Medick intertexta

489

East-Indies Spain Arabia S. of Europe East-Indies Egypt Eat-Indies East-Indies East-Indies Azores

H. East, Esq. 1792 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 J. G. Kemeys, Esq. 1774 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. 1780 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. 1790 H. East, Esq. 1790

Europe Europe

H. East, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq.

Classis XVIII. POLYADE LPHIA. PENTANDRIA. AMBROMA

Cacao augusta

Chocolate Nut-Tree S. America Maple-leav’d Ambroma New S. Wales

H. East, Esq. 1791

MONSONIA

speciosa

DODECANDRIA. Fine-leav’d Monfonia C. of G. Hope

H. East, Esq. 1791

THEOBROMA

ICOSANDRI A. Media Citron-Tree Asia uar. 1. Lemon-Tree 2. Lime-Tree 3. Sweet Lime-Tree 4. Forbidden-fruit-Tree 5. Grape-fruit-Tree Seville Orange-Tree India Aurantium China Orange-Tree var.

Shaddock-Tree India Decumana

CITRUS

HYPERICUM

balearicum

monogynum

POLYANDRIA. St. John’s-wort Majorca Chinefe St. John’s wort China

H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788

Classis XIX. SYNGENESIA. cleraceus fativa

SONCHUS LACTUCA

VOL.

I.

POLYGAMIA Sow-thistle Garden Lettuce

ÆQUALLS. Britain

3 R

LEONTODON

HORTUS

490 LEONTODON CICHORIUM

CYNARA CREPIS SPILANTHUS

Taraxacum Endivia var. crispa Scolymus Cardunculus barbata Acmella

EASTENSIS.

Dandelion Britain Endive Curled-leav’d Endive French Artichoke S. of France Cardoon Artichoke Candia Spanish Hawk-weed S. of France Balm-leav’d Spilanthus Ceylon

POLYGAMIA TANACETUM ARTEMISIA

GNAPHALIUM XERANTHE-

MUM

ASTER

BELLIS TAGETES

ZINNIA CHRYSANTHEMUM

ANTHEMIS ACHILLEA

RUDBECKIA

H. East, Esq. 1788

speciosissimum

Shewy Xeranthemum C. of G. Hope

H. East, Esq. 1775

fruticosus chinensis Amellus perennis patula e recta multiflora

Shrubby Aster Chinese After Italian After

C. of G. Hope China Italy Britain Mexico Mexico N. America

H. East, Esq. 1784 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 H. East, Esq. 1780 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

Sicily

H. East, Esq. 1774

Britain Britain

Mrs. Duncomb, 1783 M. Wallen, Esq.

nobilis millefolium

Field Daisy

French Marygold African Marygold Red Zinnia Garden Chrysanthemum

Camomile Milfoil, or Yarrow

annum indicus tuberosus laciniata Cyanus

CALENDULA

officinalis calendulacea

M. Wallen, Esq.

H. East, Esq. 1773

FRUSTRANEA.

Common Sun-flower Mexico Dwarf Sun-flower Jerusalem Artichoke Brazil Virginia American Sun-flower Canada Blue-bottle Britain

POLYGAMIA ARCTOTIS

SUPERFLUA. Britain S. of Europe Britain C. of G. Hope

hirta CENTAURE

H. East, Esq. 1788

Garden Tansey Southernwood Wormwood Strong-scented Everlasting

coronarium

to

M. Wallen, Esq. 1774

vulgare Abrotanum Absinthium fœtidum

POLYGAMIA HELIANTHUS

[APPX.

H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1789 H. East, Esq. 1790 M. Wallen, Esq. 1774

NECESSARIA.

Garden Marygold Marygold Arctotis

S. of Europe C. of G. Hope.

M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1783

MONOGAMIA. LOBELIA

siphilitica

VIOLA

odorata

IMPATIENS

tricolor Balsamina

var.

Blue Cardinal-flower Virginia Britain Sweet Violet Double-flower’d Violet Britain Heart’s-ease or Pansies East-Indies Garden Balsam

Monf. Noctoux, 1789 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 H. East, Esq. 1789 Mrs. Brodbelt, 1769 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

Classis

VOL.

the FIRST.]

HORTUS

EASTENSIS

491

Classis XX. GYNANDRIA.

EPIDENDRUM

tuberosum Tankervilllœ Vanilla

DIANDRIC. Tuberous-rooted Lim. N. America Chinese Limodorum China S. America Vanilla

SlSYRINCHIUM

bermudiana

TRIANDRIA. N. America

maliformis ? carulea

PENTANDRIA. Barbadoes Water Lemon Brazil Passion Flower

LIMODQRUM

PASSIFLORA

H. East, Esq. 1787 Mr. Thame, 1787

M. Wallen, Esq. 1780

POLYANDRIA, ARUM

CALLA

Painted Arum

bicolor * œthiopica

C. of G. Hope

H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1787

Classis XXI. MONOECIA. CASUARINA ARTOCARPUS

TYPHA COIX PHYLLANTHUS

equisetifolia integrifolia

MONANDRIA. East-Indies Indian Jaca Tree East-Indies

H. East, Esq. 1788 Lord Rodney, 1782,

latifolia Laeryma Jobi Niruri

TRIANDRIA. Large Reed-mace Britain Job’s Tears East-Indies Annual Phyllanthus East-lndies

M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1782

TETRANDRIA. BUXUS URTICA MORUS

AMARANTHUS

sempervirens dioica urens alba nigra rubra papyrifera melancbolicus tricolor eruentus

Box-tree Common Nettle Lesser Nettle White Mulberry Tree Common Mulb. Tree Red Mulberry Tree Paper Mulberry Tree

England Britain Britain China Italy Carolina Japan

PENTANDRIA. Two-colour’d Amar. East-Indies Three-colour’d Amar. East-Indies Bloody Amaranth East-Indies * Hort. Kew. vol. iii. p. 316, 3R 2

M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1784.

M. Wallen, Esq. H. East, Esq. 1774 H. East, Esq. 1779 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773

POLYAN.

HORTUS

492

EASTENSIS.

[APPX. to

POLYANDRIA. QUERCUS

Ilex Suber

Evergreen Oak Tree Cork Tree Red Oak Tree White Oak Tree Common Oak Tree Walnut Tree White Hickery Tree Black Walnut Tree Chesnut Tree Dwarf Chesnut Tree Hazel-nut Tree Oriental Plane Tree America Plane Tree

rubra

JUGLANS

FAGUS CORYLUS PLATANUS

alba Robur regia alba nigra Castanea pumila Avellana

orientalis Occidentalis.

S. of Europe S. of Europe N. America Virginia Britain Persia N. America N. America England N. America Britain Levant N. America

H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. Mr. Thame, 1788 Mr. Thame, 1788 M. Wallen, Esq. 1773 M. Wallen, Esq. 1774 M, Wallen, Esq. 1786 Mr. Jones, 1786 Mrs. Brodbelt M. Wallen, Esq. M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Esq. Mr. Thame, 1775

MONADELPHI A. PINUS

THUJA

CUPRESSUS

CROTON

sylveftris Pinaster Pinea Cembra Strobus Cedrus Larix orientalis sempervirens var. ftricta borizontalis disticha juniperoides sebiferum

Common Pine Tree Cluster Pine Tree

Europe Europe

Stone Pine Tree

Europe

Siberia Siberian Pine Tree Weymouth Pine Tree N. America Levant Cedar of Libanon White Larch Tree Germany Chinefe Arbor Vitae China

M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Eq. 1775 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 M. Wallen, Esq. 1775 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1788 H. East, Esq. 1775

Upright Cypress Tree Candia Spreading Cypr. Tree Candia Deciduous Cypr. Tree N. America African Cypress Tree C. of G. Hope China Tallow Tree

H. East, Esq. 1773 Mr. Thame, 1786.

Mr. Salt, 1786 H. East, Esq. 1789 John Ellis, Esq. 1765

SYNGENESIA. MOMORDICA CUCURBITA

CUCUMIS

SICYOS

Balsamina Charantia Pepo Melopepo Citrullus Melo Dadaim sativus fiexuofus angulata

Smooth Cerasee Hairy Cerasee Pumpkin Gourd Squalh Gourd Water Melon Common Melon Apple-shap’d Cucum.

Common Cucumber Turkey Cucumber Chocho.Vine.

India East Indies S. of Europe Levant

H. East, Esq.

America

Classis

VOL.

the FIRST.]

HORTUS EASTENSIS

493

Classis XXII.

DIOECIA. odoratissimus

MONANDRIA. Screw Pine Ceylon.

Lord Rodney, 1782

SALIX

babylonica

DIANDRIA. Weeping Willow Italy

H. East, Esq. 1783

MYRICA

cerifera

TETRANDRIA. Candleberry Myrtle Carolina

officinarum Terebinthus Lentiscus oleracea sativa

PENTANDRIA. Greece Pistachia Tree S. of Europe Turpentine Tree Mastick Tree S. of Europe Garden Spinage Hemp India

PANDANUS

PlSTACIA

SPINACIA CANNABIS

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 H. East, Esq. 1783 H. East, Esq. 1790 H. East, Esq. 1789 M. Wallen, Esq.

SMILAX

Sarsaparilla

HEXANDRIA. Sarsaparilla America

Z. Bayly, Esq. 1765*

POPULUS

balsamifera

OCTANDRIA. Tacamahac Poplar Tree Siberia

H. East, Esq. 1791

SGHINUS

molle

DECANDRIA. Peruvian Mastick Tree Peru

H. East, Esq. 1783

Classis XXIII.

POLYGAMIA. Nov. GEN. ?

MONOECIA. Bichy Tree † Guinea

TERMINALIA.

* It was first planted by Mr. Bayly, at Nonsuch Plantation, in St. Mary’s parish, and grew with great luxuriancy, but seems not to have been generally cultivated with that care which it merits. † This Tree is noticed by Sir Hans Sloane in his Natural History of Jamaica, as having been imported from the Coast of Guinea, and planted in the mountains of Liguanea ; it still continues to grow there, as well as in many other parts of the South Side of the Island: the following Characters were taken from a Tree growing in the Garden, which perfected its fruit.

Hermaphroditus Flos.

CAL.

COR.

Nullus.

Monopetala quinquepartita infera, laciniis ovatis acutis crassis subvillosis, striatis patento-erectis.

Nectarium concavum, includens Germen, margine decem-dentato.

STAM.

HORTUS

494 TERMINALIA ACER MIMOSA

FRAXINUS

CERATONIA

FICUS

EASTENIS.

[APPX.

to

VOL.

I.

Catappa Pseudo-Platanus rubrum sensitiva farnesiana nilotica Lebbec Senegal

East-Indies Sycamore Tree Britain Red Maple Virginia Sensitive Plant Brazil Sweet-scented Mimosa East-Indies Gum Arabic Tree Egypt AEgyptian Sensitive Egypt Gum Senegal Tree Arabia

H. East, Esq. 1788 Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775 Lord Rodney, 1782 Tho. Hibbert, Esq. 1787

Ornus

DIOECIA. Manna Ash Calabria

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775

Siliqua Carica

TRIOECIA. St. John’s-bread Sicily Fig Tree S. of Europe

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1790 H. East, Esq. 1787 H. East, Esq. 1790

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775

PALMAE. circinalis dact, lifera

CYCAS PHOENIX

STAM.

PIST.

PER.

SEM.

Sago Palm Date Palm Tree

East-Indies

Dr. Tho. Clarke, 1775

Levant

Filamenta decem brevissima vel nulla. Antherae didymae in orbem dispositae et extus Nectarii dentibus coalitae.

Germen subrotundum quinque-fulcatum hirsutum. Stigmata quinque crassa reflexa subcontorta, germini incumbentia.

Capsula magna subovata gibbosa, leniter incurvata, unilocularis, bivalvis, sutura dorsali prominente.

Plura angulata imbricata, singulum cortice coriaceo proprio ohtectum.

Masculi Flores. ut in Flore hermaphrodito, fed ⅓ majores. ut in Flore hermaphrodito.

STAM. PIST. Germen nullum. Stigmatum quinque rudimenta parva e medio Nectarii orta.

Arbor inelegans ramosa, cortice subsusco truncus tegitur ; folia habet alterna pedicellata integra oblonga venosa glabra acuminata, margine undulato, sicca, laurina, ad extremitatem ramulorum congesta ; pedicellis utrinque tumidis vel ganglionosis. Racemi compositi breves, plerumque e ramis majoribus orti. Corolla lutea, laciniæ singulæ striis tribus purpureis intus notatæ; odor valde ingratus. A Nigritis in Jamaica vocatur Bichy vel Colu, et ibi semina per se vel cum Sale et Capsico commista ad dolores ventriculi pro remedio habentur.

CAL. & COR.

END

OF

VOL. I.